ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Departmental Computers

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to update computer (a) hardware and (b) software standard packages used in her Department.

Alun Michael: The wide range of Defra's responsibilities and its geographic spread result in a variety of computer hardware and software being employed. These are constantly reviewed and updated where necessary in order to ensure they continue to meet business requirements, offer value for money and are fully supportable.
	The supply of computer hardware and software standard packages to Defra is currently subject to an outsourcing procurement exercise.

Food Labelling

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the use of the red tractor logo on food produced in the UK.

Alun Michael: The Red Tractor logo is privately owned and its use on food is licensed by a private company, Assured Food Standards (AFS). The logo denotes foods which comply with standards of production set by AFS or by schemes that AFS has recognised as being equivalent. The Government plays no part in setting those standards nor in validating its operations.

Greenhouse Gases

David Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she will take during 2004 (a) to increase awareness of the dangers of global climate change and (b) to promote education about ways in which (i) citizens, (ii) businesses, (iii) public services and (iv) the media can help the Government toreach its target for cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

Elliot Morley: The Department provides funding to two key bodies which as part of their activities run programmes to promote energy efficiency and climate change, including advertising schemes, events, marketing, and awards.
	The Energy Saving Trust encourages the sustainable use of energy in the domestic and small business sectors. Work includes an Energy Efficiency campaign to encourage domestic consumers to take up energy efficiency measures.
	The Carbon Trust aims to enable UK business and public sectors to move towards a sustainable, low carbon economy while maintaining business competitiveness. Their recent "Lifeblood" campaign has had wide coverage.
	"Energy Efficiency: the Government's Plan for Action" published on 26 April confirms the Government's commitment to raising awareness on climate change and its links to energy use. As stated in the Action Plan, the Government are exploring the scope for a new climate change information campaign.
	The UK has also signed up to Article 6 of the UN   Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), through which Parties to the Convention have a legally binding commitment to carry out activities on education, public awareness, public access to information, public participation and international co-operation.
	At the Eighth Conference of the Parties to the Convention (COPS) in New Delhi, in October-November 2002, the Parties adopted a five-year non-binding Article 6 work programme, known as the New Delhi Work Programme to steer Parties towards implementation of Article 6. As part of this, UK officials are currently involved in the planning stage of a web-based internet clearing house that will act as hub for public users to find out information on Article 6 related activities carried out by different countries.

Milk (Lancashire)

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many milk processing companies in Lancashire are available for farmers in Lancashire to sell the milk they produce.

Alun Michael: There are 112 milk processing establishments in Lancashire, approved under the Dairy Products (Hygiene) Regulations 1995. However, producers are not restricted to delivering their milk to purchasers or processors within their county. Farmers in Lancashire can therefore deliver their milk to milk processing companies outside Lancashire.

Orchards

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what advice her Department gives on how many years should elapse before apple trees can be replanted in the same field.

Alun Michael: Defra has not issued advice on this subject.

Parish Councils

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many (a) parish and (b) town councils have been awarded Quality status in (i) Lancashire and (ii) Chorley.

Alun Michael: To date no applications for Quality status has been received from parish councils or town councils in Lancashire or Chorley. However, the Lancashire and Mersey County Training Partnership (CTP) has received 14 registrations from clerks who are working towards the Certificate in Local Council Administration. So far one clerk has passed the qualification that was developed in line with the Quality Council Scheme launched in August 2003.

Websites

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total annual cost of her Department's websites, including those of its agencies, was in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Alun Michael: The use of websites is now a mainstream of communication for any organisation in the public sector or the private sector and for business units throughout any large organisation. Direct operating costs for the main Defra website (www. defra.gov.uk)—including technical and staff costs associated with hosting of the site, and staff costs for the central team with lead responsibility for updating and maintaining the content of the site—are estimated at around £294,000 for the financial year 2003–04.
	Additional costs arise from the activities of a large number of staff in business units across the Department, contributing to the content of the website as part of their communications activities, but an overall cost for this could not be accurately estimated without incurring disproportionate cost.
	A number of other websites are operated by the Department and its agencies, for which costs are either covered by the budgets for specific programmes (and not separately identified), or included within the above figures. Detailed information is not held centrally for other websites managed by the Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies, and could not be obtained without incurring disproportionate cost.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Community Sports

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the effects of Government expenditure policy on community sports since 1994.

Richard Caborn: The Government has invested over £3 billion Exchequer and lottery funding in sport since 1997. Government policy is to marry mass participation with sporting excellence, as illustrated by the 45 County Sports Partnerships, comprising local authorities, schools, governing bodies of sport and the voluntary sector, established to generate competitive and grass roots sport. Community sport has also benefited from unprecedented investment in facilities, improving community access. To complement this, the Government is investing in coaching and volunteering to deliver community activities. For children and young people the Government is investing almost £120 million this year to deliver the entitlement to high quality PE and School Sport.

Licensing Act

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what consultations were held with the police about the effects of binge drinking on local alcohol and violence problems before the introduction of the Licensing Act 2003; and what consultations are going on now about its implementation.

Richard Caborn: Prior to the publication of the White Paper on licensing reform in April 2000 (Cm 4696), the Association of Chief Police Officers ("ACPO") were thoroughly consulted on the related development of the policy. Following the publication of the White Paper, ACPO, the Association of Police Superintendents' Association and the Police Federation engaged in the public consultation, as well as several individual police forces. In developing the legal instructions for the Licensing Bill, ACPO provided advice to officials in weekly meetings. In July 2002, a Licensing Bill Advisory Group was formed which included a wide range of stakeholders, including ACPO, and assisted the Government in preparing the Bill. The Group met on a weekly basis and continued to meet regularly throughout the Bill's parliamentary stages. Since Royal Assent in July 2003, this Group has continued to meet on a monthly basis to discuss issues relating to the implementation of the Licensing Act 2003. In addition, during the House of Commons stages of the Licensing Bill, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State also met ACPO to discuss underage drinking and the way in which the Bill dealt with children and the then Minister responsible, the hon. Member for Pontypridd (Dr. Howells), also met ACPO to discuss other general licensing issues. More recently, I have met the police in a Working Group which is examining issues relating to alcohol related violent crime.

Ministerial Visits

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list visits made by each minister in the Department between December 2003 and April 2004, broken down by (a) date, (b) constituency visited and (c) cost.

Tessa Jowell: I have listed visits made by each Minister in my Department, specifying date and constituency visited. The cost of each visit could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			 Date of visit Constituency 
		
		
			 Tessa Jowell  
			 3 December Cities of London and Westminster 
			 4 December Hackney, South and Shoreditch 
			 6 December North Southwark and Bermondsey 
			 7 December Cities of London and Westminster 
			 15 December Holborn and St. Pancras 
			 22 December Stratford-upon-Avon 
			 10 January Islington, North 
			  Cities of London and Westminster 
			 13 January Oxford, West and Abingdon 
			 16 January Cities of London and Westminster 
			 27 January Cities of London and Westminster 
			 1 February Brent, South 
			 3 February Cities of London and Westminster 
			 9 February Cities of London and Westminster 
			 10 February Bradford, West 
			  Pudsey 
			  Shipley 
			  Hammersmith and Fulham 
			 25 February Cities of London and Westminster 
			 26 February Cities of London and Westminster 
			 3 March Cities of London and Westminster 
			 4 March Telford 
			  North Southwark and Bermondsey 
			  Cities of London and Westminster 
			 6 March Twickenham 
			 8 March Cities of London and Westminster 
			 9 March Birmingham, Ladywood 
			  Leicester, South 
			  Harborough 
			 11 March Harrow, West 
			 21 March Dulwich and West Norwood 
			 23 March Leeds, Central 
			  Leeds, East 
			  City of York 
			 24 March Holborn and St. Pancras 
			 25 March Vauxhall 
			 28 March Islington, North 
			 29 March Cities of London and Westminster 
			 30 March Nottingham, South 
			 4 April Bethnal Green and Bow 
			 6 April Regents Park and Kensington, North 
			 18 April Greenwich and Woolwich 
			 20 April Belfast, East 
			 21 April Holborn and St. Pancras 
			 22 April Cities of London and Westminster 
			 29 April Regents Park and Kensington, North 
			   
			 Estelle Morris  
			 8 December Hackney, South and Shoreditch 
			  Cities of London and Westminster 
			 9 December Vauxhall 
			 10 December Holborn and St. Pancras 
			 11 December Holborn and St. Pancras 
			 15 December Cities of London and Westminster 
			 17 December Cities of London and Westminster 
			 18 December Cities of London and Westminster 
			 6 January Bethnal Green and Bow 
			 8 January Holborn and St. Pancras 
			 9 January Birmingham Ladywood 
			  Stoke-on-Trent, Central 
			 11–13 January Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Central 
			  Tyne Bridge 
			 14 January Vauxhall 
			 15 January Holborn and St. Pancras 
			 19 January Cities of London and Westminster 
			 22 January Wolverhampton, South-west 
			 29–30 January Cambridge 
			 30 January South Cambridgeshire 
			 2 February Vauxhall 
			 3 February Cities of London and Westminster 
			 6 February Birmingham Edgbaston 
			 9 February Croydon, North 
			  Cities of London and Westminster 
			 10 February Brighton Pavilion 
			  Kensington and Chelsea 
			 15 February Cities of London and Westminster 
			 16 February Bristol, West 
			 17 February Kensington and Chelsea 
			 18 February Cities of London and Westminster 
			 3 March Cities of London and Westminster 
			 4 March Vauxhall 
			 7 March Cities of London and Westminster 
			 9 March Folkestone and Hythe 
			 12 March Sunderland, South 
			  Sunderland, North 
			  Tyne Bridge 
			  Houghton and Washington, East 
			 16 March Cities of London and Westminster 
			 16–17 March Liverpool Riverside 
			 18 March Cities of London and Westminster 
			 20 March Birmingham Ladywood 
			 22 March West Ham 
			  Cities of London and Westminster 
			 23 March Cities of London and Westminster 
			 24 March Cities of London and Westminster 
			  Holborn and St. Pancras 
			 25 March Bournemouth, West 
			  Vauxhall 
			 26 March Cities of London and Westminster 
			  Greenwich and Woolwich 
			 28 March Cities of London and Westminster 
			 29 March Greenwich and Woolwich 
			 31 March Cities of London and Westminster 
			 1 April Cities of London and Westminster 
			 6 April Truro and St. Austell 
			  St. Ives 
			 7 April Holborn and St. Pancras 
			 20 April Cities of London and Westminster 
			 21 April Cities of London and Westminster 
			 22 April Manchester, Central 
			 23 April Enfield Southgate 
			 25 April Stratford-on-Avon 
			 26 April Cities of London and Westminster 
			 27 April Hammersmith and Fulham 
			 28 April Beaconsfield 
			  Holborn and St. Pancras 
			 29 April Lewisham, West 
			  Cities of London and Westminster 
			  Vauxhall 
			   
			 Andrew McIntosh  
			 9 January2004 Cities of London and Westminster 
			 23 January 2004 Oxford, West and Abingdon 
			  Abingdon 
			 26 January 2004 Ealing, Acton and Shepherd's Bush 
			 2 February 2004 Winchester 
			 19 February 2004 Camberwell and Peckham 
			  Bethnal Green and Bow 
			 4 March 2004 North Down 
			  Belfast, North 
			  Belfast, East 
			  Belfast, South 
			  Belfast, West 
			 8 March 2004 Cities of London and Westminster 
			 11 March 2004 Edinburgh, Central 
			  Glasgow Kelvin 
			  Glasgow Maryhill 
			 15 March 2004 Cardiff Central 
			  Cardiff, North 
			  Cardiff, South and Penarth 
			  Cardiff, West 
			 24 March 2004 Streatham 
			  Vauxhall 
			 29 March 2004 Bournemouth, East 
			  Bournemouth, West 
			  Southampton Itchen 
			  Southampton Test 
			 27 April 2004 Bethnal Green and Bow 
			   
			 Richard Caborn  
			 2 December 2003 Greenwich 
			 9 December 2003 Edmonton 
			 11 December 2003 Horsham 
			 12 January 2004 Bethnal Green and Bow 
			 14 January 2004 Bethnal Green and Bow 
			 21 January 2004 Bournemouth, West 
			 23 January 2004 Louth and Horncastle 
			 29 January 2004 Cities of London and Westminster 
			 2 February 2004 Brent, East 
			 3 February 2004 Wimbledon 
			 8 February 2004 Sunderland, North 
			 10 February 2004 Barking and Dagenham 
			 12 February 2004 Leeds, Central 
			 13 February 2004 Huddersfield 
			 18 February 2004 Winchester 
			 20 February 2004 Haltemprice and Howden 
			 21 February 2004 Warrington, North 
			 24 February 2004 Bristol 
			 25 February 2004 Hammersmith and Fulham 
			 26 February 2004 Penrith 
			 26 February 2004 Meriden 
			 1 March 2004 Greenwich and Woolwich 
			 3 March 2004 Meriden 
			 4 March 2004 Telford 
			 5 March 2004 Meriden 
			 16 March 2004 Cheltenham 
			 30 March 2004 Liverpool Riverside 
			 2 April 2004 Mansfield 
			 19 April 2004 Belfast, East 
			 25 April 2004 Sheffield, Central 
			 26 April 2004 Meriden 
			 28 April 2004 York City 
			 30 April 2004 Doncaster, Central 
			 30 April 2004 Sheffield, Central

Radio Services

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what consultations she has held with the commercial radio sector about the relationship between its activities and proposed commercially-funded community radio stations, with particular reference to (a) the protection of the economic viability of existing services, (b) the requirement to offer specific and quantifiable evidence of any harm to that viability, (c) the establishment of clear and transparent rules for withholding any licence on the basis of harm to viability and (d) the interaction of OFCOM and her Department in determining these issues.

Estelle Morris: A public consultation of the draft community radio Order finished on 20 April 2004. We are carefully considering all the issues raised, including those from the commercial radio sector. In addition, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, Ministers and officials have met, or will be meeting, representatives of the Commercial Radio Companies Association to discuss these issues before the Order is laid. Officials will also discuss these views with Ofcom.

Satellite Digital Television

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has held with broadcasters on the introduction of a free satellite digital television service; and if she will make a statement.

Estelle Morris: The Department is in ongoing discussions with broadcasters and with Ofcom about the further development of digital television services. Ofcom have indicated that they will consider whether regulatory intervention is needed to secure a viable free-to-view satellite proposition before switchover.

DEFENCE

BAE Systems

Michael Jack: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his Department's relations with BAE Systems.

Geoff Hoon: The Ministry of Defence's relationship with BAE Systems is based on the need to purchase and maintain equipment to meet the requirements of the armed forces affordably and effectively.
	BAE Systems is currently the largest defence supplier to the Ministry of Defence. The changing pattern of demand for defence equipment makes it important that the Ministry of Defence works closely with them and   other defence suppliers, in keeping with the Government's Defence Industrial Policy.
	Our relations with BAE Systems' work force continue to be excellent. I pay tribute to their dedication and commitment.

Defence Logistics

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what changes he has made to defence logistics operations in the light of lessons learned from Operation Telic.

Adam Ingram: In light of the lessons learned from Operation Telic the Ministry of Defence has taken steps to address issues such as its holding of a range of desert equipments including body armour, clothing and boots. A package of improvements for logistics materiel management has been introduced which will greatly increase our visibility of logistic materiel in theatres of operations.

Future Rapid Effects System

Angela Watkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Future Rapid Effects System will enter service with the Army.

Adam Ingram: The in-service date for Future Rapid Effects System will not be endorsed until the main investment decision, but on current plans, the intention is to introduce early variants into service around the end of the decade.

Iraq

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans there are to change the (a) number and (b) composition of British troops serving in southern Iraq; and how regularly this is reviewed.

Geoff Hoon: We keep under continuous close review the level of forces we require in Iraq. We are currently considering, with other partners, the levels and dispositions of forces in the context of the forthcoming crucial period from the handover of authority to the Iraqi Interim Government on 30 June, through to the election of the Transitional Assembly and Government around the turn of the year.

Iraq

Claire Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the progress of investigations into allegations of abuse by the military in Iraq.

Geoff Hoon: Investigations by the Royal Military Police Special Investigations Branch into allegations of abuse continue and as I have already informed the House, I cannot put a precise timeframe on how long these might take. As I said, in my statement last week, it is essential that the integrity of the criminal justice process be maintained. This can involve detailed and lengthy processes, but these are crucial to allow the necessary impartial evaluation of the evidence. As I said last week, two cases have reached an advanced stage with decisions on prosecution pending.

Iraq

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the legal immunity granted to coalition forces in Iraq from prosecution under local law will continue after the handover of power to the Iraq Governing Council.

Adam Ingram: Following the hand over of authority to the Iraqi Interim Government on 30 June 2004, currently we expect that coalition forces will continue to be granted immunity from prosecution under local law by virtue of an amended Coalition Provisional Authority Order 17. However, they will be subject to the jurisdiction of their home state.

Iraq

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the role of UK forces in protecting (a) tankers at ports and (b) oil terminals in Iraq.

Adam Ingram: Currently coalition forces, including those from the United Kingdom, are working closely with the Iraqis to provide effective protection of both ports and offshore installations within Iraqi territorial waters.

Iraq

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements are in place for families of Iraqis detained by British forces to (a) have access to information about the detention and (b) visit those detained; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: Following the detention of a suspect the   individual is taken to the Divisional Temporary Detention Facility. Upon arrival at the detention facility the suspect is provided with a form setting out the reasons for their detention (this has been approved by the International Commission of the Red Cross) and is asked to provide details of a person who he wishes to notify of the detention. The military then inform the person nominated. Internees are entitled to three visits per week by members of their family.

Iraq

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will name the Iraqi individuals whose treatment by UK armed forces personnel has been the subject of a Special Investigation Branch inquiry, broken down by individuals for whom (a) investigations are ongoing, (b) the finding is that there is no case to answer and   (c) a report has been submitted to the Army Prosecuting Authority.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 11 May 2004
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 19 January, Official Report, column 917–18W. In addition the death of Tanik S Mahmud in April 2003 is the subject of an ongoing RAF Police investigation and the deaths of Mr. Zaher in March 2003 and Ghanim Gala'e Hacham Daghir Roomi in January 2004 are the subject of ongoing Royal Military Police investigations. However, it would be inappropriate to disclose the names of living individuals whose alleged treatment has been the subject of a Service Police investigation.
	Of the 33 cases I referred to in the statement I made to the House on 4 May 2004, Official Report, column 1213, 16 involve alleged ill treatment by members of the UK Armed Forces. Of these, eight are subject to ongoing Service Police investigations, four have been discontinued for lack of evidence and two have been referred to the Army Prosecuting Authority for consideration. In the remaining two cases the police investigation has concluded and legal advice is being sought in relation to what further action might be necessary.

Iraq

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the outcome was of the investigation into the deaths of the six Royal Military Police soldiers killed in Iraq on 24 June 2003; whether Her Majesty's Government received a response to it from the families of the men; whether he plans to make public the relevant communications log; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 12 February 2004, Official Report, column 1637W. Although extensive inquiries have been undertaken, the investigation is still ongoing and it remains unclear when it will conclude.

Aircraft Carriers

Mohammad Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress with the aircraft carrier orders placed with BAE Systems.

Adam Ingram: The Future Carrier (CVF) programme remains in the Assessment Phase. Ministers are currently considering proposals on the overall CVF programme, the Alliance strategy, and on when to proceed to the Demonstration and Manufacture phases.

Defence Exports

Jim Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the measures the Ministry of Defence is taking to promote defence exports.

Adam Ingram: The Defence Export Services Organisation, within the Ministry of Defence, promotes legitimate defence exports by offering advice and assistance to the United Kingdom defence industry. The organisation invites and hosts foreign delegations at defence exhibitions in the United Kingdom, and provides military support teams in the promotion of military products and services. The Department continues to work for better market access for United Kingdom manufacturers to foreign defence markets.

Joint Strike Fighter

David Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with the US Administration on the implementation of the Joint Strike Fighter programme.

Adam Ingram: The Joint Strike Fighter has been selected to meet our Joint Combat Aircraft requirement to replace our current Harrier aircraft. It will be flown from our new aircraft carriers and from land bases. It will also create thousands of jobs and help to boost our economy. Ministers and officials regularly discuss the progress of the programme with our US partners.

Afghanistan

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what (a) quantity and (b) type of observation equipment is deployed for British troops to use in Afghanistan.

Adam Ingram: I am withholding information on observation equipment available to British Forces in Afghanistan under Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

Departmental Procurement

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for   Defence what percentage of the (a) crockery, (b) cutlery and (c) glassware procured by his Department over the last five years is of British manufacture.

Adam Ingram: For the last five years the Ministry of Defence's requirements for crockery, cutlery and glassware have been procured through the Office of Government Commerce (OGC).
	The OGC have provided the following information covering the use of British Manufacture, in percentage terms, over the last five years:
	
		British Manufacture
		
			  Percentage 
		
		
			 Crockery 100 
			 Cutlery 100 
			 Glassware 0

Eurofighter

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department will receive a discount on its order for the second tranche of Eurofighters similar to that achieved by the German Defence Ministry.

Adam Ingram: Negotiations between partner nations and industry for the second Tranche of Eurofighters (Typhoons) are ongoing. We are working to ensure that the Tranche 2 contract is affordable and soundly based to deliver the required capability.

Flakjackets

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what further investigations his Department has   undertaken into the (a) reasons and (b) those responsible for the flakjackets missing since 1999; what conclusions he has reached; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: I have assumed that my hon. Friend has in mind the National Audit Office Report on Operation Telic, which reported that approximately 200,000 sets of Enhanced Combat Body Armour had been issued since the Kosovo campaign in 1999, but seemed to have disappeared.
	I should explain that the figure quoted in the NAO report was an estimate provided for the NAO inquiry of the equivalent number of sets of body armour that would have been issued since 1999. However, the body armour ensemble is not usually issued as a complete set. Instead, units request the number of components required to make up the sets they need (covers, fillers and ceramic plates). The fillers and covers are accounted for as items of consumable stock and are, therefore, usually disposed of locally when they wear out, although items may be returned to stock and re-issued if undamaged. Due to their value, the plates, when surplus to unit requirements and serviceable, are returned to stock for re-issue as the need arises.
	In light of the concern raised about the supply of body armour, the Defence Logistics Organisation conducted an audit of Enhanced Combat Body Armour The audit has provided a picture of our current holdings. It shows that current stock holdings account for 66 per cent. of the total number of Enhanced Combat Body Armour components procured since 1992. The remainder will have been consumed over this period as a result of wear and tear, and operational loss.

Future Aircraft Carrier

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the prime contractor for the Future Aircraft Carrier programme.

Adam Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 5 May 2004, Official Report, column 1514W, to my right hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne East (Mr. Brown).

Kosovo

Alice Mahon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has studied the Amnesty International Report published on 6 May 2004, Protecting the Human Rights of Women and Girls Trafficked for Forced Prostitution in Kosovo; what assessment (a) he and (b) his Department have made of the Report's claims that the international community, including United Kingdom members of KFOR and the UN, make up a significant concentration of these women's clientele; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: The Ministry of Defence has studied the Amnesty International report 'So does it mean that we have the rights?—Protecting the Human Rights of Women and Girls Trafficked for Forced Prostitution in Kosovo'. The report's findings are a matter of grave concern. The Government condemns the exploitation of vulnerable people, and expects UK military personnel to adhere to the rules for conduct on operations. Military personnel breaking these rules are dealt with under the relevant military disciplinary procedures and, depending on the offence, UK criminal law. With the exception of two cases where, as the report recognises disciplinary measures were taken, we are not aware of any involvement of UK military personnel in the activities the report describes.

Nimrod MRA4

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 5 May 2004, Official Report, column 1523W, on the Nimrod MRA4, what plans he has to ensure that, in the event of an eventual favourable decision to continue production of the Nimrod MRA4 aircraft, a workforce with the sufficient skills and product knowledge will be available at Woodford.

Adam Ingram: BAE Systems is clearly best placed to manage their workforce to provide the skills and knowledge to meet current obligations and likely future business requirements.
	Acceptable design maturity and price are needed before a full production order can be placed. The Ministry of Defence, however, has been approving low risk production activities when it makes sense to do so, where these help maintain essential skills and product knowledge as well as preserve schedule.

Prison Warder Duties

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what qualifications armed forces personnel have in prison warder duties; whether the training they   receive for such duties leads to a recognised qualification; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: The Ministry of Defence does not run prisons. However, members of the Adjutant General's Corps Military Provost Staff (AGC(MPS)) receive the relevant training to run the Military Corrective Training Centre (MCTC) in Colchester.
	The MCTC is subject to independent inspection and   is a National Vocational Qualifications Award accredited custodial care assessment centre. Individual qualifications are not awarded; however close liaison with Her Majesty's Prison Service is undertaken in order that best practice is maintained.
	AGC(MPS) also run the Regimental Police course at MCTC. This course prepares soldiers to run the unit guardroom and to provide them with the skills necessary to handle soldiers serving short-term periods of detention in the unit guardroom. The course covers all legal, administrative and welfare aspects of detention and provides a City and guilds Qualification.

Radioactive Material

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the occasions since 1 May 1997 when radioactive material has been unaccounted for,   broken down by (a) location, (b) volume and (c) radioactivity level of the material; and whether the material remains missing in each case.

Ivor Caplin: holding answer 14 May 2004
	I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

RAF (Medical Personnel)

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for   Defence what the strength of the RAF Medical Services is, broken down by (a) service, (b) rank, (c) specialisation and (d) establishment.

Ivor Caplin: Tables 1 and 2 show the strength of personnel in the RAF Medical Services, by rank and specialisation. Table 3 details the number of RAF medical personnel by Ministry of Defence establishment. These figures do not include dental officers and other ranks.
	Those deployed on operations are not shown separately but are recorded at their home unit.
	All figures are correct as at 1 April 2004.
	
		Table 1: Officer ranks
		
			  Specialism 
			 Rank Medical officer Medical support Princess Mary Royal Air Force Nursing Service Total 
		
		
			 Air Vice Marshall 1 — — 1 
			 Air Commodore 7 — — 7 
			 Group Captain 20 1 1 22 
			 Wing Commander 62 11 11 84 
			 Squadron Leader 59 18 46 123 
			 Flight Lieutenant 51 30 57 138 
			 Flight Officer 12 10 4 26 
			 Pilot Officer/Acting Pilot   Officer/Officer Cadet 33 3 — 36 
			 Total 245 73 119 437 
		
	
	
		Table 2: Other ranks
		
			 Specialism Warrant Officer Flight Sergeant Chief Technician Sergeant Corporal Junior Technician Senior Aircraftsman Leading Aircraftsman/ Aircraftsman Total 
		
		
			 Pharmaceutical technicians 1 2 — 5 5 1 1 5 20 
			 Laboratory technicians 1 7 — 10 4 2 — — 24 
			 Radiographers — 3 — 6 3 1 1 1 15 
			 Staff nurse (Registered Mental Nurse) — 5 — 13 7 — — — 25 
			 Operational theatre 1 5 — 12 1 6 2 3 30 
			 Environmental health technician 1 6 — 7 2 14 7 5 42 
			 Medical administration 23 43 2 130 111 — 2 — 377 
			 Medical assistant — — — — 5 — 265 137 407 
			 Staff nurse (Registered General Nurse) 4 21 — 123 96 3 56 30 333 
			 Total 31 92 2 306 300 27 334 181 1,273 
		
	
	
		Table 3: Locations of officer and other ranks
		
			 Location Numbers of personnel: Officer ranks Numbers of personnel: Other ranks Total 
		
		
			 Aldergrove Northern Ireland 2 14 16 
			 Aldershot Duller Barracks 1 — 1 
			 Aldershot DMSTC (Keogh Barracks) 4 106 110 
			 Armed Forces Careers Office, Belfast — 1 1 
			 Armed Forces Careers Office, Newcastle — 1 1 
			 Armed Forces Careers Office, Nottingham — 1 1 
			 Defence Academy Shrivenham — 1 1 
			 Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering Cosford 1 18 19 
			 Defence Community Psychiatry Catterick — 2 2 
			 Defence Dental Agency HQ Halton 2 — 2 
			 Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre Headly Court 5 15 20 
			 Defence Medical Services HQ London 27 1 28 
			 Defence School of Transport Leconfield — 2 2 
			 Department Community Psychiatry Shrewsbury 1 2 3 
			 DMETA, Gosport 4 4 8 
			 External Training 52 9 61 
			 Gosport Fort Blockhouse Defence Medical College — 55 55 
			 HQ DISC Support Unit, Chicksands — 1 1 
			 Joint Personnel Administration Worthy Down — 1 1 
			 Joint Services Command and Staff College Defence Academy Shrivenham 2 — 2 
			 JSU RMC — 2 2 
			 Lossiemouth 3 14 17 
			 MDHU Derriford Plymouth 6 — 6 
			 MDHU Frimley Park 3 — 3 
			 MDHU Haslar, Portsmouth 23 84 107 
			 MDHU Peterborough 41 92 133 
			 Medical Supply Agency Ludgeshall 3 1 4 
			 MoD Fire Centre Manston — 3 3 
			 Northolt — 10 10 
			 Overseas not deployed 26 76 102 
			 Permanent Joint Headquarters Northwood 1 — 1 
			 RAF Benson 3 19 22 
			 RAF Bentley Priory SHU — 2 2 
			 RAF Boulmer — 9 9 
			 RAF Brampton — 22 22 
			 RAF Brize Norton 6 41 47 
			 RAF Buchan 1 4 5 
			 RAF Coltishall 3 14 17 
			 RAF Conningsby 1 12 13 
			 RAF Corsham — 5 5 
			 RAF Cosford — 2 2 
			 RAF Cottesmore 2 17 19 
			 RAF Digby — 7 7 
			 RAF Fylingdales — 2 2 
			 RAF Halton 4 87 91 
			 RAF Henlow 59 26 85 
			 RAF High Wycombe 6 17 23 
			 RAF Honington 2 17 19 
			 RAF Innsworth 46 42 88 
			 RAF Kinloss 2 19 21 
			 RAF Leeming 2 16 18 
			 RAF Leuchars 2 19 21 
			 RAF Linton on Ouse 2 19 21 
			 RAF Lyneham 26 85 111 
			 RAF Marham 4 28 32 
			 RAF Odiham 2 20 22 
			 RAF Saxa Vord — 1 1 
			 RAF Sealand Support Unit — 9 9 
			 RAF Shawbury 1 13 14 
			 RAF Spadeadam — 2 2 
			 RAF St. Athan Support Unit — 14 14 
			 RAF St. Mawgan — 6 6 
			 RAF Stafford — 8 8 
			 RAF Uxbridge — 7 7 
			 RAF Valley 1 11 12 
			 RAF Waddington 2 16 18 
			 RAF Wittering 2 15 17 
			 RAF/RAFC Cranwell 23 41 64 
			 RAFSU Boscombe Down — 3 3 
			 Royal Centre of Defence Medicine Selly Oak 28 58 86 
			 Royal Military College of Science Shrivenham — 1 1 
			 St Thomas' Hospital London — 1 1 
			 Totals 437 1,273 1,710

RAF Bases

Alan Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of the savings projected from the transfer of functions from RAF Boulmer to RAF Scampton are assumed to derive from savings in (a) personnel costs, (b) maintenance and infrastucture running costs and (c) depreciation and capital charges.

Adam Ingram: The Prime Minister's letter of 21 April to the right hon. Member explained that the estimated net running cost saving from the transfer of functions from RAF Boulmer to RAF Scampton is £13 million a year. Some three fifths of this is attributable to personnel costs and one fifth to maintenance and infrastructure running costs. In accordance with standard accounting practice, depreciation and capital charges were not included in the Investment Appraisal.

Special Service Medal (Nuclear Testing)

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which members and former members of the UK's armed forces will be entitled to qualify for the Special Service Medal (Nuclear Testing) approved by Royal Warrant SR2002/224; and if he will make a statement.

Ivor Caplin: None. The Special Service Medal (Nuclear Testing) was instituted by the Government of New Zealand in 2002. Retrospective awards instituted by Commonwealth countries with the permission of Her Majesty The Queen are the sole responsibility of the countries concerned.

Watchkeeper Programme

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress with the Watchkeeper programme.

Adam Ingram: The Watchkeeper programme will deliver, incrementally, an intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) capability using tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. Proposals for the demonstration and manufacture phase of the Watchkeeper project were received from Northrop Grumman and Thales on 18 March 2004 and are currently being assessed. The main investment decision is due later this year.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

British Citizens (Deaths Abroad)

David Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British citizens were (a) killed and (b) murdered while living in or visiting another country in each of the last three years, broken down by the country in which the deaths occurred.

Chris Mullin: holding answer 13 May 2004
	The Foreign and Commonwealth Office collected data on how British citizens died overseas on an informal basis until the end of the 2001–02 Financial Year period. Our records show that the total number of British citizens reported as killed overseas in 1999–2000 was 200, in 2000–01 was 308 and in 2001–02 was 216. Our records show that the total number of British citizens reported as murdered overseas in 1999–2000 was 27, in 2000–01 was 43 and in 2001–02 was 95.

Climate Change

David Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what guidance he has issued to British embassies and high commissions in respect of encouraging international dialogue about the future of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Bill Rammell: We remain committed to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its overall aim to stabilise emissions at a level that will prevent dangerous climate change. We are working hard to ensure that ambitious action is taken under its auspices. Our immediate focus is to bring the Kyoto Protocol into force and we are working hard to achieve that. Discussions on further action to follow the Kyoto Protocol commitment period 2008–2012 are not due to start until 2005. However, we regularly brief our posts on the full range of the UK's climate change priorities and are exchanging views informally with other countries on how to promote further effective action on climate change.

Colombia

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received concerning (a) threats to and (b) abuses of   human rights of native tribes in Colombia by (i) paramilitary groups and (ii) drugs lords; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: It is often difficult to distinguish in the field between paramilitary, guerrilla or criminal drug trafficking organisations. Our embassy in Bogota has regular contact with representatives of indigenous groups. In recent months they have met such groups from Amazonas, Choco, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Maria and La Guajira. The meetings covered such groups' treatment by paramilitary and guerrilla groups. Embassy staff have also discussed the situation of indigenous people with representatives of the key UN agencies, the Catholic Church and civil society, and with the Colombian Government.

Colombia

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions (a) he, (b) senior members of his Department, (c) the UK Government's representatives in Colombia, (d) the Government's representatives in New York and (e) his ministerial colleagues in London have (i) had, (ii) agreed to have and (iii) sought to have with (A) Jan Egeland, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Co-ordinator, (B) other officials of the Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs, (C) members and representatives of the Government of Colombia and (D) non-governmental organisations, in the UK and Colombia, following Jan Egeland's statement of 10 May 2004; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: Our ambassador had three separate meetings with Mr. Egeland during his visit to Colombia, including dinner and a private conversation with him on 8 May. He subsequently met the UN Co-ordinator on 11 May. EU Heads of Mission have a private meeting arranged with the Colombian Foreign Minister on 17 May, and ambassadors from the countries represented at the July 2003 London Meeting on Colombia (the G24) will meet the Colombian Defence Minister on 18 May. Our Ambassador spoke to representatives of British NGOs in Colombia following Mr. Egeland's visit on 10 May. A further meeting with NGOs is planned for later in the month. The foregoing is the extent of our engagement with the UN to date; we are considering our next steps.

Colombia

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for   Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when his Department last assessed the security and humanitarian situation in the Choco Department in Colombia; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: British embassy officials visited Choco in February to assess the situation there. During their visit they met a cross-section of society. In addition the ambassador visited the region twice in 2003. He also had a meeting in Bogota to discuss the region's problems with the Bishop of Choco in March 2004. We are very concerned about the severe social problems the people of Choco face, including high levels of poverty, illegal drug activity, the presence of illegal armed groups and a vulnerable population. We have raised these with the Colombian authorities. In partnership with UNHCR, we support a project aimed at helping displaced communities there.

Colombia

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of Colombia's (a) economic and (b) humanitarian situation; and when this was last updated.

Bill Rammell: Our embassy in Bogota provides regular reporting on economic and humanitarian issues, drawing its information from a wide range of governmental and non-governmental sources. The latter includes the Church, local and international NGOs, the business community, academic circles and others. They also supplement their knowledge by travelling around the country to see the situation firsthand. Such reporting is vital as it helps us ensure that our policy towards Colombia is based on the most up to date information and analysis.

Cyprus

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to seek a new settlement plan for the EU for the Cyprus problem which does not involve the indefinite presence in Cyprus of foreign troops.

Denis MacShane: We will continue to work with all sides with a view to realising the ultimate objective of achieving a just, lasting and comprehensive settlement so that we can see a reunited Cyprus within the EU.
	We believe the UN Secretary General's comprehensive plan established the best possible basis for achieving a settlement. We welcomed the fact that the settlement would have seen a reduction in Greek and Turkish troop numbers to a purely symbolic level. It is now time for reflection on the deal that was rejected and a considered examination of where we go from here.
	We look forward to the UN Secretary General's report on the settlement talks as an important first step in that process. In the meantime there is no prospect of a renegotiation of the UNSG's plan, including the provision for a limited number of Greek and Turkish troops to remain. Any change in this would have to be by mutual agreement of the parties concerned.

Cyprus

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to seek a solution to the Cyprus problem on the basis that refugees should, in reasonable time, be allowed the right to return to their homes.

Denis MacShane: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him today (UIN 173224).
	The UN Secretary General's comprehensive settlement proposals would have enabled a large number of Greek and Turkish Cypriots the right to return to their former homes. Furthermore, every dispossessed owner was entitled to a guaranteed proportion of all their former property under a regime designed to deliver material benefits to all.
	We will continue to work with all sides in pursuit of a just and lasting settlement. We continue to believe that the UNSG's plan offers the best possible basis.

Cyprus

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to seek a solution to the Cyprus problem on the basis that Cyprus has control of future migration across its sovereign borders.

Denis MacShane: I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave him today (UINs 173224 and 173225).
	An effective migration regime, agreed by the parties and in line with EU principles would be one important element of any future settlement.

European Convention on Human Rights

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State   for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have taken place between the UK Government and (a) other European Governments and (b) institutions of the European Union regarding the application of the European Convention on Human Rights in Iraq; what the results were; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: The Government have not had discussions with other European Governments nor with the institutions of the European Union regarding the application of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) in Iraq. As the Government have said in relation to the current High Court cases brought by the families of 13 Iraqi civilians, the Government's position is that ECHR rights have no application in Iraq.

European Convention on Human Rights

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what areas of Iraq are under the jurisdiction of the UK for the purposes of (a) section 1 of the European Convention on Human Rights, (b) the Geneva Convention and (c) UN Security Council Resolution 1511; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: The question of whether any areas of Iraq are within the jurisdiction of the UK for the purposes of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) are matters in issue in the current cases before the High Court brought by the families of 13 Iraqi civilians. The Government's position in those cases is that ECHR rights have no application in Iraq. The applicability of the Geneva Conventions and of UN Security Council Resolution 1511 are not matters that turn upon whether jurisdiction is being exercised. Resolution 1511 is a binding Security Council resolution and therefore binds the UK and all other UN member states. The mandate given to the multi-national force to contribute to the maintenance of security and stability in Iraq in resolution 1511 applies to UK forces in those areas where they are operating. The UK accepts that the Geneva Conventions apply to the conduct of UK forces engaged in an armed conflict and that in some areas of southern Iraq, UK forces are exercising sufficient control as an occupying force for the purpose of the application of the Geneva Convention IV.

European Convention on Human Rights

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether UK officials are bound by the European Convention on Human Rights wherever they discharge their duties; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: Whether the European Convention on Human Rights applies extra-territorially to the actions of UK officials turns upon whether the United Kingdom can be said to be exercising jurisdiction over an individual in the particular circumstances for the purposes of Article 1 of the Convention in accordance with the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights.

Gibraltar

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what representations he has made to the Spanish Government concerning cruise liners which have previously docked at Gibraltar being prevented from entering Spanish ports;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on the decision by the Spanish Government to refuse entry to the cruise liner Norwegian Dream to the port of Barcelona.

Denis MacShane: holding answer 10 May 2004
	On the instructions of my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, the British ambassador in Madrid delivered a message to the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday 30 April and complained again over the weekend of 1–2 May. He complained once more, to the Spanish State Secretary for Europe and the Americas, on 12 May, and to a senior Spanish official on 13 May. He expressed HMG's disappointment and surprise at the Spanish action and stressed how seriously HMG views such hindrance to legitimate business by cruise liners. HMG is in close touch with the Spanish Authorities with a view to achieving an early solution to this problem. I will also raise the issue in meetings with Spanish officials this week.

Honours

Brian White: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much time his Department spent dealing with honours in the last year for which figures are available, broken down by Civil Service grade.

Jack Straw: Five staff in my Department are employed full-time on honours work: oneD6 (Principal), twoC4 (Higher Executive Officer), oneA2 (Administrative Officer), oneA1 (Administrative Assistant).
	In addition, members of the Senior Management Structure (Senior Civil Service) spend a total of approximately six to seven person-weeks in aggregate a year on honours.

Iraq

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what areas of Iraq are under the effective control of the UK.

Jack Straw: The UK commands Multinational Division South East (MND SE) which comprises all Coalition military forces in the provinces of Basra, Muthanna, Maysan and Dhi Qar. Troops from 10 states operate in the MND SE Area of Responsibility.

Iraq

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for   Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his latest   estimate is of the amount owed by Iraq in reparations.

Bill Rammell: The United Nations Compensation Commission has assessed 98 per cent. of the claims submitted to it for direct losses arising as a result of Iraq's illegal invasion and occupation of Kuwait in 1990. The total amount awarded so far amounts to US$ 48,170,438,256 of which US$ 18,389,089,070.86 has been paid. An amount of US$ 29,781,349,185.20 remains to be paid. Work on assessing the remaining claims is ongoing.

Iraq

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what payments his Department has made to private military companies working in Iraq.

Bill Rammell: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not employ any private military companies. It does employ two private security companies to provide armed protection for its staff and assets in Iraq. Payments under these contracts to 31 March 2004 have amounted to approximately £15 million.

Iraq

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on encouraging the development of secular political parties in Iraq; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: We fully support the vital role of the UN in helping Iraq prepare for elections in early 2005 to a Transitional National Assembly, as requested by the Iraqi Governing Council. As part of that process, the UN are helping the Iraqis to produce a political parties law which will provide the legal basis for the activities of Iraqi political parties. This and the Transitional Administrative Law will provide the framework in which Iraqis will be free to form political parties and to compete in elections. The Department for International Development have created a Political Participation Fund for Iraq to increase the opportunities for Iraqi citizens to participate in the democratic process. It is now for the Iraqis to decide what sort of political parties they wish to develop within the legal framework being established.

Official Vehicles

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage of official vehicles used by his Department are run on (a) petrol, (b) diesel, (c) liquid petroleum gas and (d) compressed natural gas.

Bill Rammell: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) runs two distinct fleets of vehicles. The first is the home fleet run by FCO Services and managed by the Supply Chain Service Delivery Group. Vehicles are situated in London (based at King Charles Street) and at Hanslope Park. London vehicles are used to run the London Messenger and London Car Service; the Hanslope fleet is a diplomatic freight/mail delivery service covering the UK and Europe. The required breakdown of this fleet of vehicles is:
	
		
			  Percentage 
		
		
			 Total number of vehicles (London and Hanslope   combined) 36 
			 Petrol 13 
			 Diesel 67 
			 LPG 20 
		
	
	Our vehicle replacement programme for the home fleet pays particular attention to the provision of LPG vehicles in London; this is part of our commitments under the FCO's environmental 'green issues' policy.
	The second FCO vehicle fleet is that run by overseas missions in pursuit of diplomatic business, the details we have available on this fleet are as follows:
	
		
			  Percentage 
		
		
			 Total number of vehicles in the FCO Overseas Fleet 1,352 
			 Petrol 45.8 
			 Diesel 33.8 
			 LPG/Hybrid 0.3 
			 Unknown(1) 20.1 
		
	
	(1) Overseas Missions have the option to procure pool vehicles locally.

Productivity

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking to (a) increase the productivity and (b) cut the costs of his Department and its agencies and non-departmental public bodies.

Bill Rammell: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my honourable Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Ruth Kelly) on 10 May 2004, Official Report, column 149W.

Sudan

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will mount an independent investigation with the UN and EU into the   role of, and support for, the Janjaweed militias operating in the Darfur region of the Sudan, with specific reference to human rights abuses.

Chris Mullin: The Government of Sudan has announced the creation of a national independent human rights committee to investigate alleged human rights abuses in Darfur, with particular focus on the activities of the Janjaweed armed militias. The UK's Special Representative for Sudan is currently in Sudan where he will meet with the head of this committee and senior Government officials to discuss the situation in Darfur.
	We are in close contact with the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) about Darfur. We are considering the best way to take forward recommendations made following their recent mission to Sudan. We are also working to ensure that the Independent Expert, mandated by 23 April UN Commission on Human Rights decision on Sudan, is appointed as soon as possible. We and our EU partners have made clear that alleged abuses should be thoroughly investigated, and we will continue both to monitor the situation closely and to press the OHCHR to follow up effectively.

Sudan

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with representatives of (a) the Sudanese Liberation Army and (b) the Justice and Equality Movement about bringing peace to Darfur, Sudan.

Chris Mullin: Through our embassy in Khartoum we have been in regular contact with both the Sudanese Liberation Army and the Justice and Equality Movement in the run up to the ceasefire talks in Chad, during the talks, and subsequently. We are urging both groups, and the Sudanese Government, to fully implement the ceasefire agreement, and to ensure unhindered humanitarian access and the protection of civilians, in order to find a sustainable solution to the problems in Darfur in the long-term.

Targeted Assassinations

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his answer of 10 May 2004, on targeted assassinations, question reference 169853, on what basis the Government has determined that the policy of targeted assassinations by the Government of Israel is illegal.

Bill Rammell: We recognise Israel's right to defend itself against terrorism but it must act in accordance with the applicable law. We do not consider that Israel's policy of targeted killings is in conformity with its obligations under the Fourth Geneva Convention and international human rights law. In particular, the policy does not appear to meet the conditions required for a killing to be justified as self-defence.

MINISTER FOR WOMEN

Equal Pay

John Denham: To ask the Minister for Women what   recent representations she has received from (a) trade unions, (b) employers and (c) other bodies concerning   the pay gap between men and women in Hampshire.

Patricia Hewitt: I have had no specific representations concerning the pay gap between men and women in Hampshire. However I have ongoing dialogue with trade unions, employers and others including the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) and Opportunity Now concerning action to tackle the gender pay gap. For example, last week I met with over 40 trade union women from across the country to discuss this issue and identify action which builds on what we have already achieved. We have made it easier for employers to pay fairly through EOC toolkits, which have been well received. Recent EOC research shows a significant increase in the number of large organisations undertaking pay reviews which suggest we are on track to meet our Public Service Agreement target of 35 per cent. by April 2006. 41 per cent. of those that had carried out a pay review or were planning to do one said that government policy and publicity had influenced them.

Equal Pay

John Denham: To ask the Minister for Women pursuant to the answer of 26 February 2004, Official Report, column 486W, on equal pay, what methodology was used to conclude that the gender pay gap in the South East is the second biggest in Great Britain.

Patricia Hewitt: The figure I reported on 26 February 2004 was based on April 2002 figures. Using April 2003 figures shows that the South East had the third largest pay gap of regions in Great Britain. The figures in both cases were taken from the New Earnings Survey (NES), conducted by the Office for National Statistics.
	Average earnings are estimated for full-time employees on adult rates of pay whose pay was unaffected by absence during the pay period, by their place of work. This is the standard definition used for NES tables. The gender pay gap for each region is derived from the male and female estimates for those regions.

Working Hours

Helen Jones: To ask the Minister for Women what research she has commissioned into the effect of a long   working hours culture on women's employment and   promotion prospects; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: I have commissioned no specific research into the impact of a long working hours culture on women's employment and promotion prospects, however last year my Department published "Working Long Hours: a review of the evidence" which was commissioned from the Institute for Employment Studies. It is available on the internet at hppt://www.dti.gov.uk/er/emar.
	Its main findings are that 11 per cent. of employees in the UK work long hours (over 48 hours per week). There are clear gender differences with men more likely to work long hours than women. Two thirds of women who work long hours are in managerial and professional occupations (23 per cent. and 40 per cent. respectively).
	Through the Work-Life Balance Campaign and the introduction of the right to request flexible working, my Department has sought to demonstrate the benefits of alternative work patterns. Employers who pursue family friendly policies and provide their employees with choice about how they work, report greater motivation and productivity and a reduction in recruitment and retention costs.
	In April my Department published research complied by the Office for National Statistics on the first year of the flexible working law. It showed that overall the new flexible working law is proving to have been a huge success. Many more flexible working requests (86 per cent.) are being either fully or partly accepted by employers compared to the rate immediately prior to the new law (77 per cent.). The study can be found at the website mentioned above. 11 per cent. of flexible working requests made since April 2003 were declined, which represents a near halving of the rate of refusal by employers compared with the previous two years. And it suggests the new law has significantly increased employers' willingness to consider employee requests.
	The Second Work-Life Balance Baseline Survey of Employers published in 2003 showed that more than nine out of 10 employers agree that people will work best when they can strike a healthy balance between work and the rest of their lives. The report is also available at the website mentioned above. The report also revealed an increase in the provision of flexible working time practices by employers. Significantly this increase was not confined to workplaces of a particular size or in a particular sector or industry.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Child Pornography

Brian White: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps her Department has taken to   export the UK model of co-operation between Government, police and industry to tackle child pornography on the internet.

Stephen Timms: The Department of Trade and Industry attaches great importance to protecting children from illegal or harmful material on the internet. The Government are primarily addressing it through the Home Secretary's Task Force on Child Protection on the Internet. The Department takes part in the activities of the Task Force, and in particular, supports cooperation between Government, law enforcement, industry and other stakeholders to develop self-regulatory responses to problems arising, in order to strengthen the take-up of the internet and the growth of e-commerce. We strongly support the work of the industry-led Internet Watch Foundation.
	Child protection on the internet is a common challenge in the UK, Europe and the rest of the world. The UK's approach has served as the model for the EU's main programme to tackle it, the Safer Internet Programme. Since 1999, Safer Internet has funded over   130 projects across Europe bringing together Government, industry, law enforcement and child protection agencies in the following streams of activity:
	hotlines: Safer Internet supports at least one hotline along the lines of the UK's Internet Watch Foundation in each of 17 countries in Europe, allowing users to report internet content they regard as illegal or harmful. INHOPE, based in the UK, is the European hotline coordinating body, responsible for monitoring standards and spreading best practice for these hotlines.
	rating and filtering technology: the programme encourages the development of software that empowers users to filter or otherwise limit the amount of unwanted material they receive, as well as ways to measure and benchmark its performance.
	promoting cooperation: it has created European-level forums to drive consensus on the challenges and solutions among experts from industry, law enforcement, government, educators, consumer groups, child welfare and other NGOs.
	raising awareness: support is offered to initiatives at country, regional or other levels to inform parents and educators of means to use the internet more safely, using techniques based largely on practice developed by members of the Home Office Task Force on Child Protection on the Internet.
	UK companies and NGOs are very well represented among the participants in the various projects, and some of them act as coordinators at European level (e.g. for best practice for ways of promoting awareness of self-help techniques).
	In March 2004, the European Commission adopted a proposal for Safer Internet Plus, a programme to continue these activities for the next four years. It will increase the international reach of the UK's model approach because it will particularly encourage hotlines and awareness activity in the 10 new member states, and provide resources for the EU to pursue effective cooperation and solutions in international forums and with third countries, especially those which are the origins of a large proportion of illegal, harmful or unwanted material, such as child pornography and spam.
	The Government also take opportunities to raise the profile of a cooperative approach to online child protection in international discussions: for example, at the conclusion of the first phase of the United Nations sponsored World Summit on the Information Society in December 2003, the UK, working with its EU partners, strongly supported a statement to the effect that
	"all actors in the Information Society should take appropriate actions and preventive measures, as determined by law, against abusive uses of ICTs, such as . . . all forms of child abuse, including paedophilia and child pornography . . ." (Declaration of Principles, para. 59).
	As part of its strategy to promote a globally competitive environment for electronic communications businesses, the Department has developed a number of dialogues with other countries' regulators, officials and industry representatives. These discussions have frequently covered the implications of offensive or harmful online material. The Internet Watch Foundation and other leading UK players take part to give a first hand account of the UK's cooperative approach, and also actively pursue their own extensive international contacts, supported wherever possible by the Department of Trade and Industry and other Departments. In addition, meetings recently arranged or to take place within the framework of dialogues with the United States, Japan and Australia will address cooperative solutions to the issue of unsolicited messages (or "spam"), some of which can be linked to child pornography.

Energy Generation

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the relative efficiency of energy generation by wind power in relation to (a) wave power, (b) nuclear, (c) gas and (d) coal generation.

Stephen Timms: Comparing the efficiency of renewable and non-renewable technologies is difficult. Fuel costs for the majority of renewables are zero, so obtaining the highest level of efficiency is less of a priority than reducing the overall cost of each unit of energy generated. The Department has published estimates of the cost of electricity generation from a variety of technologies by 2020. These come from the 2001 PIU energy review, 2002 Interdepartmental Analysts Group report, and the 2004 Renewables Innovation Review. The following ranges are based upon the lowest and highest estimates from each of these reports:
	
		
			  p/kWh 
		
		
			 Onshore wind 2.0–3.2 
			 Offshore wind 2.0–4.6 
			 Gas 2.0–2.9 
			 Nuclear 2.6–4.0 
			 Marine 4.0–6.2

Equal Pay

John Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the pay gap between men and women employed by her Department and its agencies in (a) Southampton, (b) Eastleigh, (c) Winchester and (d) Romsey constituencies.

Patricia Hewitt: My Department, including the Small Business Service Executive Agency, currently employs no staff in Southampton, Eastleigh, Winchester and Romsey constituencies.
	Agency Chief Executives will be replying on behalf of their organisations where they employ staff within the constituencies mentioned. These are Employment Tribunal Service and The Insolvency Service.
	Letter from Desmond Flynn to Mr. John Denham, dated 17 May 2004
	The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has asked me to reply to directly on behalf of The Insolvency Service in respect to your question (2003/2875) asking what assessment have been made of the pay gap between men and women employed by her Department and its agencies in (a) Southampton, (b) Eastleigh, (c) Winchester and (d) Romsey constituencies.
	In March 2003, The Insolvency Service carried out an Equal Pay audit on a national basis. The Audit along with The Service's action plans setting out proposals for future reviews are available in the House of Commons and published on The Service's website www.insolvency.gov.uk.
	Letter from Roger Heathcote to Mr. John Denham, dated 17 May 2004
	You asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what   assessment she has made of the pay gap between men and women employed by her Department and its agencies in (a) Southampton, (b) Eastleigh, (c) Winchester and (d) Ramsey. I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Employment Tribunals Service (ETS).
	ETS undertook an Equal Pay Review in 2003. The Review was undertaken separately for all those staff on London and National pay scales and did not cover the situation in individual offices. The results for staff on our National pay scales, which would include those staff in our Southampton office, showed a differential in favour of males of 5.2% (only 0.2% above the Equal Opportunities Commission benchmark).

Identity Theft

Brian White: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps her Department is taking to reduce identity theft in areas within the remit of her Department and its agencies.

Patricia Hewitt: The DTI will work closely with—particularly small business—trade unions and others so that a system to combat identify theft maximise the benefits and minimise the compliance costs to law-abiding business and to develop an effective enforcement system that will deal with illegal workers and the majority of businesses that deliberately flout the law.
	Effective recruitment procedures are in place to deter identity fraud being used to gain employment within the Department itself.

Imperial Measurements

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many prosecutions have been carried out against shopkeepers selling goods in imperial measurements in (a) the East Riding of Yorkshire and (b) England.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Department does not hold comprehensive information on prosecutions carried out by trading standards departments. However, we are aware of five prosecutions of traders selling goods in imperial measurements: one each in Sunderland, Hackney and Sutton and two in Cornwall.
	East Riding Trading Standards Department inform us that it has carried out no such prosecutions.

Large Combustion Plants Directive

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the likely impact on the UK coal industry of the Large Combustion Plants Directive.

Stephen Timms: This Department commissioned independent research into the likely impact of the two options for implementing the Large Combustion Plants Directive, by a national plan or by emissions limit values. The results of this study will inform the implementation decision, which has not yet been made. The research report will be published in due course.

Ministerial Visits

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the answer of 4 May 2004, Official Report, column 1404W, on ministerial meetings/visits, which people and organisations in Japan the Minister of State for Energy, e-Commerce and Postal Services plans to meet or visit; and what matters are to be discussed.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 14 May 2004
	I hope to be able to meet a number of Ministers, senior Government officials and senior representatives from utility power companies responsible for energy, e-commerce and telecommunications issues, including the following;
	Mr. Fuji, Chairman of Federation of Electric Power, Mr. Nakagawa, Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Mr. Kusaka, Director General, Agency of Natural Resources and Energy, part of the Ministry of Economy and Industry, Mr. Aso, Minister and Mr. Nabekura, Vice-Minister for Policy Co-ordination (International Affairs), Ministry of  Public Management, Home Affairs, Posts and Telecommunications, Mr. Abe Senior Vice-Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
	I also hope to meet representatives of British companies operating in Japan.
	I shall be having wide-ranging discussions on telecommunications and energy issues, including nuclear and BNFL related issues. I shall also be explaining the changes to the UK nuclear industry described in the Energy Bill and hope to hear an update on Japan's plans for its nuclear energy programme.

Post Office

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will instruct Post Office Ltd. not to withhold information requested by hon. Members on closures of local post offices.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 10 May 2004
	Under the public consultation process, Post Office Ltd. supplies extensive information to assist stakeholders and other interested parties in their consideration of post office closure proposals, but detailed financial information is, necessarily, commercially confidential.

Post Office

David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what advertising is taking place to promote (a) Post Office card accounts and (b) the use of post offices for the collection of pensions.

Stephen Timms: The DWP Direct Payment information campaign raises awareness of all the account options for Direct Payment, including bank and building society and Post Office accounts and also accounts that can be accessed through Post Office branches. It is for customers themselves to decide which account will best meet their needs and circumstances.
	Post Office Ltd. is responsible for advertising its own services and has undertaken a number of advertising campaigns promoting the banking services which are available at post offices. The current campaign recently launched nationally advertises the banking services of the High Street Banks and the Post Office card account available at post offices.

Post Office Modernisation Fund

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much of the Government's Post Office Modernisation Fund has been spent in Brent since the   fund was initiated; and how much has been spent (a) to keep post offices open and (b) to encourage closures.

Stephen Timms: Rationalisation is necessary in urban areas where there are too many post offices for all of them to survive on the current levels of business available. Parliament has approved funding of up to £210 million to support Post Office Ltd.'s programme to restructure the urban post office network comprising £180 million to compensate sub-postmasters exiting the   business and £30 million for investment in modernising offices.
	The administration of the restructuring programme is an operational matter for Post Office Ltd. and I have asked the Chief Executive to reply direct to the hon. Member on how much has been utilised in Brent.

Post Offices (Government Funding)

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much Government funding was made available for post offices in (a) 2002–03 and (b) 2003–04, broken down by local authority; and what spending is planned for 2005–06, broken down by local authority.

Stephen Timms: The Government's on-going nationwide package of funding for Post Office Ltd. and the post office network amounts to some £2 billion in total since 1999. This funding is not allocated on the basis of local authority boundaries.

Wind Farms

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for   Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the visual impact of wind farms currently in operation.

Stephen Timms: The Department has made assessments of the visual impact of wind farms currently in operation. Applications for consent to construct wind farms are accompanied by an Environmental Impact Assessment statement, which includes details of visual impact.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what vote was recorded by   the UK director of the International Finance Corporation at the 4 November 2004 meeting on the approval for a commercial loan for the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline.

Mr. Gareth Thomas: A decision to support the approval of a loan for the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline was reached by consensus by the shareholders of the International Finance Corporation at the 4 November 2004 Board meeting. No vote was taken. The UK supported the proposed investment in the BTC pipeline as it was felt that both the IFC and EBRD had fully complied with their polices and procedures. DFID also supported the project due to the potential developmental benefits that it will bring to Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey.
	Although DFID supported the provision of loans for this pipeline, DFID recognises that complex, large-scale projects of this nature raise difficult issues and present risks, including the weak governance environment and the potential social and environmental impacts of the pipeline, which will need to be carefully managed. It is important that both the International Financial Institutions (IFI)s and the international community remain engaged with the implementation of the project going forward so that we can ensure that commitments are delivered. DFID therefore expects the International Finance Corporation (IFC) management to ensure regular independent consultation on monitoring the implementation of the project; encourage enhanced transparency of revenue management; and demonstrate how IFC has learnt from the project.

Departmental Annual Report

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much the production of his Department's latest annual report cost; how many copies were printed; how many copies of it were sold at its cover price; to whom copies of the report have been provided free of charge; and how many copies were provided free of charge.

Mr. Gareth Thomas: The Department for International Development (DFID)'s 2004 Annual Report cost approximately £45,000 (estimated figure, not all final invoices have been received) for a print run of 3,050 copies.
	600 copies were provided to The Stationary Office Ltd. (TSO) for sale, of which 128 copies have been sold to date at the cover price of £27.00.
	As of May 11 2004, 1,478 copies had been distributed free of charge to staff, and external contacts such as other donors, parliamentary and ministerial contacts, NGOs, embassies and high commissions, as well as multilateral organisations such as the UN. This leaves 972 copies to cope with any future demand.
	The report is also available to download free of charge from the DFID website www.dfid.gov.uk.

HIPC Initiative

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will list the countries which have now reached decision point in the highly indebted poor countries initiative.

Hilary Benn: 27 countries have reached Decision Point under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative. These countries are Benin, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Honduras, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Niger, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. Of these countries, 13 have reached Completion Point. These are: Benin, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Guyana, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Niger, Senegal, Tanzania and Uganda.

Nuba Mountains

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for   International Development what aid is being provided to projects to assist the people of the Nuba Mountains.

Hilary Benn: Since 2003 the Department for International Development has committed more than £3 million through the UN system and international NGOs, in support of projects to assist the people of the Nuba Mountains. Projects supported include joint monitoring of the Nuba Mountains Cease-Fire Agreement, local peace building initiatives and support to basic education.

Productivity

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action he is taking to (a) increase the productivity and (b) cut the costs of his Department and its agencies and non-departmental public bodies.

Mr. Gareth Thomas: I refer the hon. Member for Castle Point to the written answer given by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, the right hon. Member for Brent, South (Paul Boateng) on 10 May 2004, Official Report, column 149W.

Statistical Methodologies

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  what the changes are to survey methods and the revisions to statistical estimates in relation to the poverty reduction target for South Asia referred to on page 186 of the 2004 departmental report;
	(2)  what the changes in statistical methodologies are which make it impossible to measure firm progress on the target for sustainable poverty reduction in East Asia and the Pacific.

Mr. Gareth Thomas: The 2000 poverty data are not directly comparable with the 1998 baseline data in these two regions because of significant changes to the raw data used to estimate the poverty figures. This, combined with the inherent uncertainty associated with the data and the small time period being considered, means the available data does not allow an accurate assessment of progress. However, the data does point to a reduction in poverty. More details are provided in the following paragraphs.
	Progress towards these poverty reduction targets is measured using the proportion of the population living in absolute poverty (defined as less than an international $1 a day). The data comes from the World Bank, which publishes estimates in their annual Global Economic Prospects report. Each year the World Bank provides the data for the latest year (currently 2000), and revises the data for 1990.
	Estimates for past years can change because additional or updated data is included in the analysis, or the estimation methodology is updated.
	Usually this results in a relatively small change to the data for previous years. However, this year there were substantial changes to the China and India data. These populous countries have a large impact on the East Asia and the Pacific and South Asia regional figures.
	In China, data on household expenditure instead of income was used for the first time (this has not been available before). Expenditure data is considered more reliable than income data for poverty analysis as expenditure tends to be more accurately reported by households than income. In India, data from an additional household survey was included in the analysis. This additional data, and other more minor methodological changes, resulted in a significant reduction to the poverty figures in East Asia and the Pacific and South Asia for both 1990 and the latest year when compared with the estimates available last year.
	The World Bank does not currently update figures for the years between the latest year and 1990. Hence we do not have 1998 poverty figures that have been estimated using the additional data sets. This means the 1998 baseline data is not directly comparable with the 2000 data published in the Departmental Report.
	There are many problems with the accuracy and reliability of this data. However, it is still the best internationally comparable measure of absolute poverty currently available. DFID is working with the World Bank to improve the quality of this data.
	More information on the methodology is available in Chapter 1 of the World Bank's 2004 Global Economic Prospects: http://www.worldbank.org/prospects/gep2004/chapter1.pdf.

Vietnam

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on development in Vietnam.

Mr. Gareth Thomas: The Government of Vietnam has made rapid progress in reducing poverty in recent years and in maintaining a high rate of economic growth. The number of people living in poverty halved from 58 per cent. in 1993 to 29 per cent. in 2002 and economic growth has averaged at approximately 7 per cent. over the last 10 years. Despite this, approximately 23 million people still live below the poverty line and an estimated 8.8 million live in hunger. However, health and education indicators are at similar levels to those normally seen in a country with a per capita income two or three times higher than Vietnam's.
	This progress is a result of the Government of Vietnam's sustained commitment to development and poverty reduction. Recognising this, DFID has rapidly increased it's programme in Vietnam from £19 million in 2002–03 to an expected spend of up to £60 million by 2005–06. The programme supports the Government of Vietnam's own poverty reduction and growth strategy, and DFID works very closely with the Government and other donors to ensure that we achieve the maximum impact of our resources. Copies of DFID's new Country Assistance Plan for Vietnam have been placed in the House Library.
	DFID also supports poverty reduction in Vietnam through our contributions to the European Commission development budget (currently approximately 18 per cent. of the total budget). The EC spent 22.7 million Euros in Vietnam in 2002 (UK contribution: 4.1 million Euros), and is likely to spend 101 million Euros between 2002 and 2004 (UK contribution: 18.2 million Euros).

NORTHERN IRELAND

Academy for Irish Cultural Heritages

Martin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the role of the Academy for Irish Cultural Heritages; and how it is funded.

Barry Gardiner: The Academy for Irish Cultural Heritages at the Magee campus of the University of Ulster is one of the centres of research excellence funded under round one of the Support Programme for University Research. The Department for Employment and Learning provides 50 per cent. of the total cost over the period of the programme, the other half being provided by the charitable organisation, Atlantic Philanthropies.
	The role of the project is to conduct research of international excellence in the fields of History, Celtic Studies and English.

Alcohol-Related Illness

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will break down the funding allocated to treat alcohol-related illness by (a) main budget head and (b) recipients.

Angela Smith: The information is not available in this format.

Autism Services

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action he is taking to improve services for children with autism in the Northern Board area.

Angela Smith: In the forthcoming year the Northern Health and Social Services Board proposes to improve diagnostic and assessment services by investing £77,000 to strengthen the existing service in Homefirst Trust with additional speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and clerical support.
	£50,000 is also being provided to increase paediatrician and speech and language therapy input, in addition to clerical support, to begin to establish a local service.
	£7,000 has been made available for staff training related to Autistic Spectrum Disorders.

Essential Skills

Roy Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to extend educational policy on essential skills beyond numeracy and literacy; and if he will make a statement.

Barry Gardiner: The Department for Employment and Learning is currently considering its position on the introduction of Information and Communications Technology as a third essential skill along with literacy and numeracy.

Parliamentary Questions

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  how many (a) ordinary written and (b) named day questions his Department received in (i) the 2002–03 and (ii) this parliamentary session up to the most recent date for which figures are available, broken down by month;
	(2)  what proportion of (a) ordinary written questions to his Department were answered within five sitting days of tabling and (b) questions for a named day received a substantive answer on that day in (i) 2002–03 and (ii) the current parliamentary session up to the most recent date for which figures are available, broken down by month.

Paul Murphy: The following table sets out the total number of ordinary written question and named day questions asked of my department by hon. Members in 2003 and up to 31 April 2004, broken down by month.
	
		
			   2003 2004 (up to 31 April) 
		
		
			 Ordinary written 
			 January 233 324 
			 February 163 263 
			 March 198 327 
			 April 125 248 
			 May 208 — 
			 June 354 — 
			 July 214 — 
			 August 0 — 
			 September 172 — 
			 October 147 — 
			 November 105 — 
			 December 143 — 
			 Total 2,062 1,162 
			
			 Named day 
			 January 15 22 
			 February 34 31 
			 March 32 49 
			 April 33 27 
			 May 9 — 
			 June 19 — 
			 July 16 — 
			 August 0 — 
			 September 10 — 
			 October 17 — 
			 November 10 — 
			 December 28 — 
			 Total 223 129 
		
	
	The other information sought is not available in the form requested, but the following may be of use. From 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2003, a total of 3,134 parliamentary questions, including those asked by Members in Another Place, were tabled for answer by ministers in my Department, or on their behalf.
	From 1 May 2003 to 31 December 2003, the 11   Departments of the NI administration for which I   currently have responsibility answered 986 ordinary written questions, of which 79 per cent. were responded to within a working week of the question being tabled. of the 65 named day questions tabled in the same period 80 per cent. were answered by the specified date. The corresponding information in respect of the Northern Ireland Office itself is not currently available.

Productivity

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his policy is for (a) increasing the productivity and (b) cutting the costs of (i) his Department and (ii) its agencies and non-departmental public bodies.

Ian Pearson: The NIO is committed to delivering the Government's policy on efficiencies of 2.5per cent. a year over the SR2004 period. This policy is applicable to the core Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies.
	The same focus on promoting efficiency will apply to   the 11 Departments of the Northern Ireland Administration, with a target for annual efficiency gains of at least 2.5 per cent. applying to Departments, and other public bodies funded by them, over the SR 2004 period. This will be a central theme to the Northern Ireland Priorities and Budget process, which will conclude with the publication in December 2004 of the Government's spending and efficiency plans. As a starting point, the departments have been asked to draw up plans for efficiency gains, with measures to include a combination of productivity gains and cost reductions that will free up resources to be redeployed to priority front line public services.

Recycled Paper

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of printing in Government Departments in Northern Ireland in 2003–04 was on recycled paper.

Ian Pearson: The percentage spend on recycled paper, compared with new paper, during the period April 2003 to 31 March 2004 is 5.63 per cent.
	This answer is based on the value of orders placed electronically by Departments for the purchase of paper used for printing and reprographic purposes "in house" and paper purchased by the Central Print Unit, Department of Finance and Personnel. Data on all printed matter produced in-house by Departments and purchased from commercial printers is not readily available and could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost.
	Following the adoption of guidance to integrate environmental considerations into procurement practices, as approved by the Procurement Board on 6 April 2004, Departments are required to move to the use of recycled paper. CPD is now implementing this decision.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for   Northern Ireland how many rheumatoid arthritis sufferers (a) have commenced treatment since 1 January 2004 with, (b) are prescribed and (c) remain on the waiting list for (i) Embrel and (ii) Remicade.

Angela Smith: Information is not available in the form requested. However, data collected by Health and Social Services Trusts suggest that there are around 230 people who have received or are currently receiving biologic therapies using Embrel and Remicade, and around 450 people on the waiting lists for such treatment.

Statins

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the availability of statins in the NHS.

Angela Smith: A range of medicines classified as 'statins' are available to patients on health service prescription, and will remain so.
	In addition, it was announced on 12 May 2004 that Ministers had accepted the advice of the expert Committee on Safety of Medicines, that one particular brand of simvastatin in a 10 mg dose, Zocor Heart-Pro, should become available to people with a specific risk of heart disease, without prescription and supplied under pharmacist supervision. This will happen here from July 2004.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Careers Guidance

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many practising qualified teachers (a) were qualified careers advisers and (b) provided careers guidance in schools in each year since 1997.

David Miliband: Information on the numbers of qualified teachers who are also qualified careers advisers is only available in respect of those who teach careers as a specific subject. This information was published in table 24 of the School Workforce in England Volume 2003 edition and is available from the House of Commons Library or downloaded from the following internet link: www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DBA/OL/v000443/index.shtml.
	This information is not collected on an annual basis.
	Careers advice in schools may also take place within other contexts such as during the provision of Personal Social and Health Education. Information is not available in respect of this provision.

Child Care Regulation

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent changes he has made to the regulation of child care; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 13 May 2004
	We have made two sets of significant changes to the regulation of child care since the national standards for under 8s day care and childminding came into force in the summer of 2001. First, in April 2003, we introduced regulations enabling the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted), the national registration authority for child care in England, to suspend a provider's registration in certain circumstances, for example, where there were concerns about their suitability to look after children. Second, the national standards and associated regulations were revised in September 2003, following a public consultation. Amongst the changes were new rules allowing childminders to care for more babies and preventing them from smacking or smoking in front of the children in their care. At this time we also extended the registration requirements to child care provided by schools, which had previously been exempt.
	Further changes to improve the regulation of child care are under consultation at present and are planned for introduction in September 2004.

Connexions

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many one-stop-shops are operated by the Connexions Service in England.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 30 April 2004
	A survey in December 2003 showed there were nearly 300 one-stop shops already open, operated by Connexions Partnerships. This number is set to increase with a further 100 one-stop-shops planned to open in the next 18 months.

Connexions

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what his Department's preferred model of delivery is for Connexions partnerships.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 12 May 2004
	There is no preferred model, and it is for each Connexions Partnership to decide on a structure which they believe will be the most efficient in delivering the Connexions service in their sub-region.

Early Years Education

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps he is taking to promote the appropriate training of workers engaged in multi-agency work with early years children.

Margaret Hodge: The Sure Start Unit has allocated £129.9 million to local authorities for the training and development of early years and child care workers for 2004–06 to meet the requirements of the national standards for under 8s day care and childminding. This will include training and development of those working in multi-agency settings such as Children's Centres.

Early Years Education

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many new recruits he estimates will be needed over the next three years in the nursery and child care sector to ensure the workforce is at full strength.

Margaret Hodge: Allowing for the expected growth of child care places and continuing staff turnover, we estimate that up to around 180,000 new recruits may be needed in the early years, child care and play work sector over the three-year period April 2003 to March 2006.
	This is a broad estimate, which depends on a range of assumptions, and we will continue to keep it under review in the light of further information about child care growth and staff turnover levels.

Education Act Powers

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many times he has used the power under section 71 of the Education Act 2002 to direct a local education authority to exercise its powers to secure provision for an additional number of pupils.

David Miliband: It has not yet been necessary to exercise this power under section 71 of the Education Act 2002. It was introduced as a complement to the powers of Section 70 of the Act, which require competitions for additional secondary schools. Effectively, it extends the powers of Schedule 7 to the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 to allow LEAs to respond to a direction to provide for an additional number of pupils by either holding a competition for a new school, or using their other powers for the reorganisation of schools.
	LEAs are responsible for the provision of sufficient school places in their area, and these powers were always intended as reserve powers in exceptional circumstances.

Education Funding

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many (a) free nursery and (b) pre-school places were available for (i) 3 and (ii) 4-year-olds in Oldham, West and Royton in each of the last seven years.

Margaret Hodge: The information is not available in the form requested.
	Figures on the number of free nursery education places taken up by 3 and 4-year-olds in Oldham local education authority area are shown in the table.
	The latest figures on provision for 3 and 4-year-olds in England were published in a Statistical Bulletin 'Provision for children under 5 years of age in England—January 2003' which is available on the Department's website www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/.
	From April 2004, six months ahead of our original target, all 3-year-olds in England whose parents want one, are eligible for a free, part-time early education place.
	
		Number of free nursery education places 1,2 taken up by 3 and 4-year-old children in maintained nursery and primary schools and private, voluntary and independent providers—Oldham 1997–2003
		
			 Position in January each year 3-year-olds 4-year-olds 
		
		
			 1997 1,500 3,100 
			 1998 1,500 3,100 
			 1999 1,600 3,000 
			 2000 2,300 3,100 
			 2001 2,500 3,100 
			 2002 2,500 3,100 
			 2003 2,600 3,000 
		
	
	(2) Part-time equivalent number of free nursery education places taken up by 3 and 4-year-old children.
	(3) A free nursery education place comprises five 2½ hour sessions of early years education per week, for 33 weeks of the year, usually three terms of 11 weeks.

Education Services

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State   for Education and Skills how many child care places have been created in Blackpool, South since 1997.

Margaret Hodge: The Department is unable to provide details of child care places for Blackpool, South. However, from April 1999 to March 2004 Blackpool local authority created 3,060 new child care places helping some 5,505 children. This shows an increase in the stock of child care places, taking into account turnover, of 2,149 helping some 3,899 children.

Education Services

Alan Hurst: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much was spent on capital projects in schools in (a) the County of Essex in each year from 1980 to 1997 and (b) the County of Essex and   the unitary authorities of Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock in each year from 1998 to 2003.

David Miliband: The majority of capital funding is now allocated to local authorities and schools by needs-related formulae. Authorities invest according to priorities agreed in their asset management plans. The following table shows total capital allocations to Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock local education authorities (LEA) since 1996–97. We do not hold details of the capital allocation figures per authority for periods before 1996–97.
	
		Capital allocations in £
		
			  Essex LEA Southend-on-Sea LEA Thurrock LEA 
		
		
			 1996–97 12,186,000 — — 
			 1997–98 11,477,000 — — 
			 1998–99 13,796,000 2,577,000 1,874,000 
			 1999–2000 20,204,000 1,056,000 3,190,000 
			 2000–01 53,120,000 6,547,000 6,014,000 
			 2001–02 35,575,000 5,868,000 5,129,000 
			 2002–03 75,405,000 6,330,000 5,249,000 
			 2003–04 63,462,000 9,907,000 11,007,000 
			 2004–05 60,322,000 13,242,000 12,834,000 
		
	
	* Includes allocations to the voluntary aided sector.

Education Statistics (London)

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teaching staff have taken early retirement in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in each London borough in each year since 1997; and what the average figures for a local education authority in England were in each year.

David Miliband: The information requested has been placed in the Libraries.

Education Statistics (London)

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teaching staff have left the profession as a result of stress or similar conditions in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in each London borough in each year since 1997; and what the average figures for a local education authority in England were in each year.

David Miliband: This information is not collected centrally.

Education Statistics (London)

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teaching posts there were in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in each London borough in each year since 1997; and what the average figures for a local education authority in England were in each year.

David Miliband: The tables show the full-time equivalent number of regular teachers in local education authorities in London and the national average for all maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools in England, in January of each year.
	
		Nursery and primary
		
			  1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 City of London 10 20 20 20 20 20 20 
			 Camden 580 560 550 560 550 580 610 
			 Greenwich 1,020 990 980 990 1,000 960 980 
			 Hackney 840 860 870 880 910 870 950 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 440 400 400 440 470 470 500 
			 Islington 780 770 720 730 700 820 750 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 360 350 360 340 360 380 400 
			 Lambeth 1,010 1,020 980 940 970 1,030 1,020 
			 Lewisham 960 970 940 1,030 1,050 1,080 1,100 
			 Southwark 1,000 1,010 1,040 1,050 1,140 1,170 1,210 
			 Tower Hamlets 1,180 1,090 1,200 1,170 1,140 1,160 1,130 
			 Wandsworth 820 810 840 850 900 900 900 
			 City of Westminster 560 530 530 530 610 630 620 
			 Barking and Dagenham 710 690 690 700 750 740 750 
			 Barnet 1,160 1,210 1,200 1,190 1,250 1,280 1,290 
			 Bexley 880 860 900 880 930 930 890 
			 Brent 1,100 1,090 1,090 1,020 1,050 1,080 1,120 
			 Bromley 960 980 990 990 1,120 1,140 1,120 
			 Croydon 1,400 1,390 1,370 1,430 1,570 1,490 1,510 
			 Ealing 1,190 1,190 1,200 1,180 1,200 1,210 1,160 
			 Enfield 1,070 1,090 1,080 1,260 1,180 1,300 1,270 
			 Haringey 980 970 960 970 990 1,020 1,020 
			 Harrow 930 880 860 770 900 900 910 
			 Havering 880 880 890 910 910 940 940 
			 Hillingdon 910 910 920 970 1,020 1,050 1,030 
			 Hounslow 900 870 880 860 900 890 840 
			 Kingston upon Thames 460 460 460 470 500 510 520 
			 Merton 670 640 660 650 700 710 660 
			 Newham 1,010 1,000 1,060 1,160 1,260 1,290 1,330 
			 Redbridge 850 870 900 940 1,020 1,010 1,030 
			 Richmond upon Thames 520 530 530 520 560 530 580 
			 Sutton 580 590 600 600 620 640 690 
			 Waltham Forest 910 960 960 920 940 1,000 910 
			 National average 1,240 1,230 1,240 1,250 1,300 1,320 1,320 
		
	
	
		Secondary
		
			  1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 City of London 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Camden 780 790 770 650 780 850 680 
			 Greenwich 880 860 870 880 900 970 1,020 
			 Hackney 500 520 550 530 500 530 580 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 370 420 440 470 460 460 480 
			 Islington 520 510 500 520 520 560 550 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 260 250 260 250 260 260 280 
			 Lambeth 500 510 500 520 490 530 520 
			 Lewisham 750 740 740 750 820 850 810 
			 Southwark 600 630 640 660 670 750 740 
			 Tower Hamlets 930 920 940 920 910 940 1,060 
			 Wandsworth 650 650 650 640 670 690 690 
			 City of Westminster 530 550 560 570 600 640 660 
			 Barking and Dagenham 680 660 680 690 690 730 780 
			 Barnet 1,420 1,370 1,400 1,400 1,420 1,460 1,480 
			 Bexley 910 930 950 940 960 1,090 1,070 
			 Brent 940 970 950 960 950 980 1,150 
			 Bromley 1,190 1,210 1,210 1,210 1,320 1,400 1,380 
			 Croydon 1,030 1,070 1,050 1,210 1,140 1,170 1,200 
			 Ealing 900 880 910 930 900 960 1,040 
			 Enfield 1,260 1,310 1,350 1,300 1,310 1,250 1,430 
			 Haringey 740 730 760 760 760 760 770 
			 Harrow 570 550 570 540 560 570 590 
			 Havering 920 930 940 910 990 1,050 1,070 
			 Hillingdon 970 1,000 980 1,010 1,050 1,070 1,090 
			 Hounslow 1,010 980 1,010 990 1,040 1,030 1,070 
			 Kingston upon Thames 520 530 520 520 520 520 600 
			 Merton 460 460 460 440 460 470 540 
			 Newham 1,010 1,030 1,060 1,060 1,110 1,170 1,190 
			 Redbridge 1,060 1,080 1,110 1,080 1,220 1,230 1,300 
			 Richmond upon Thames 480 480 470 440 440 520 470 
			 Sutton 730 760 780 810 850 880 970 
			 Waltham Forest 840 860 880 920 840 880 890 
			 National average 1,260 1,260 1,280 1,290 1,310 1,350 1,380 
		
	
	Source:
	Annual survey of teachers in service and teacher vacancies.

Education Statistics (London)

Joe Benton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many (a) free nursery and (b) pre-school places were available for (i) three and (ii) four-year-olds in Bootle in each of the last seven years.

Margaret Hodge: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 29 April 2004, Official Report, column 1257W.

Education Statistics (London)

Joe Benton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  how many (a) Sure Start centres and (b) Early Excellence centres have been created in Bootle;
	(2)  how many new nurseries have been established in Bootle since 1997.

Margaret Hodge: I refer the hon. Member to the   replies given on 6 May 2004, Official Report, column 1775W and 6 May 2004, Official Report, column 1776W.

Examination Results

Michael Wills: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many (a) males and (b) females achieved five A*–C grades at GCSE in each year since 1994; and how many (i) males and (ii) females achieved 5 A*–C grades at GCSE in the 10 per cent. (A) most and (B) least deprived wards in each year since 1994.

David Miliband: The information requested is shown in the following tables. Data for years prior to 1997 is not   readily available and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	
		Number of males and females achieving 5 A*–C Grades at GCSE: 1997–2003
		
			  Male Female 
			  Number Percentage Number Percentage 
		
		
			 2003 133,462 46 158,525 56 
			 2002 125,476 44 150,769 55 
			 2001 119,862 43 145,645 53 
			 2000 112,719 41 138,218 52 
			 1999 109,564 40 134,307 51 
			 1998 103,546 39 127,677 49 
			 1997 102,894 38 125,761 48 
		
	
	
		
			  Male Female 
			  10 per cent. most deprived wards 10 per cent. least deprived wards 10 per cent. most deprived wards 10 per cent. least deprived wards 
			  Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage 
		
		
			 2003 9,005 32 19,136 60 11,349 42 21,969 71 
			 2002 8,335 30 18,101 59 10,507 40 21,129 70 
			 2001 7,883 29 17,320 57 9,855 37 20,982 69 
			 2000 7,137 27 16,737 56 9,037 36 19,587 68 
			 1999 6,892 25 16,243 55 8,711 34 19,223 67 
			 1998 6,340 24 15,760 54 8,122 32 18,604 66 
			 1997 6,368 24 15,319 52 7,904 30 18,359 64

Examination Results

Michael Wills: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many (a) males and (b) females achieved level 5 or above at Key Stage 3 in (i) English, (ii) mathematics and (iii) science in the 10 per cent. (A) most and (B) least deprived wards in each year since 1994.

David Miliband: The information requested is shown in the following table. Data for years prior to 1997 are not readily available and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	
		Number of males and females achieving level 5 or above at Key Stage 3: 1997–2003
		
			  Male Female 
			  10 per cent. most deprived wards 10 per cent. least deprived wards 10 per cent. most deprived wards 10 per cent. least deprived wards 
			 Subject/year Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage 
		
		
			 English 
			 2003 14,067 48 24,616 74 17,704 63 27,070 86 
			 2002 13,486 44 23,270 71 18,180 63 27,134 86 
			 2001 12,723 43 22,392 70 16,954 59 25,432 85 
			 2000 12,053 40 21,883 69 16,184 58 25,135 84 
			 1999 12,309 41 21,156 70 16,617 59 25,431 85 
			 1998 11,605 41 20,727 69 15,755 58 23,652 84 
			 1997 9,535 33 18,219 62 13,831 50 22,472 80 
			  
			 Maths 
			 2003 16,333 55 26,823 80 16,149 58 26,185 83 
			 2002 15,465 51 25,621 78 15,078 52 25,209 80 
			 2001 14,723 49 24,896 78 14,609 51 24,347 80 
			 2000 13,951 47 24,347 77 13,232 47 23,393 78 
			 1999 13,281 44 23,017 76 12,442 44 22,802 76 
			 1998 11,823 41 21,433 72 10,808 40 20,491 73 
			 1997 11,966 41 21,795 74 11,060 40 21,119 75 
			  
			 Science 
			 2003 15,177 51 26,880 80 14,528 52 25,811 82 
			 2002 14,876 49 25,918 79 14,333 49 25,306 80 
			 2001 14,318 48 25,245 79 13,619 47 24,316 80 
			 2000 12,345 41 23,436 74 10,819 39 21,752 73 
			 1999 10,909 36 21,366 70 10,254 36 21,182 71 
			 1998 10,912 38 21,089 71 9,518 35 19,577 70 
			 1997 11,808 41 22,167 75 10,922 40 21,083 75

Examination Results

Michael Wills: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many (a) males and (b) females achieved level 4 or above at Key Stage 2 in (i) English, (ii) mathematics and (iii) science in the 10 per cent. (A) most and (B) least deprived wards in each year since 1994.

David Miliband: The information requested is shown in the following table. Data for years prior to 1997 is not readily available and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	
		Number of males and females achieving level 4 or above at Key Stage 2: 1997–2003
		
			  Males Females 
			  10 per cent. most deprived wards 10 per cent. least deprived wards 10 per cent. most deprived wards 10 per cent. least deprived wards 
			 Subject/year Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage 
		
		
			 English 
			 2003 27,223 57 22,845 83 31,481 69 23,540 90 
			 2002 27,323 57 22,431 83 30,921 67 23,536 89 
			 2001 27,046 57 21,951 83 31,645 69 23,364 90 
			 2000 26,863 57 21,894 83 30,534 67 22,464 90 
			 1999 24,391 50 20,648 79 29,199 63 21,914 88 
			 1998 20,083 42 18,192 73 27,415 59 20,547 86 
			 1997 19,712 42 17,612 73 24,608 54 19,407 84 
			  
			 Maths 
			 2003 29,842 63 23,117 84 27,739 61 21,490 82 
			 2002 30,053 63 22,571 83 28,898 63 21,933 83 
			 2001 28,517 60 21,755 82 27,291 59 21,064 81 
			 2000 28,451 61 21,824 83 26,955 59 20,504 82 
			 1999 27,503 57 21,068 81 26,098 56 20,175 81 
			 1998 21,174 44 18,722 75 19,831 43 17,567 74 
			 1997 22,809 48 18,465 77 21,118 47 17,713 76 
			  
			 Science 
			 2003 36,763 77 25,807 94 35,392 78 24,528 94 
			 2002 37,482 78 25,187 93 36,116 78 24,551 93 
			 2001 37,529 79 24,895 94 36,700 80 24,511 94 
			 2000 35,072 75 24,304 92 34,419 76 23,326 93 
			 1999 32,126 66 23,261 89 30,837 66 22,315 89 
			 1998 26,281 55 20,938 83 24,673 53 19,874 83 
			 1997 25,573 54 19,732 82 24,830 55 19,301 83

Examination Results

Michael Wills: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many (a) males and (b) females achieved level 2 or above at Key Stage 1 in (i) English, (ii) mathematics and (iii) science in the 10 per cent. (A) most and (B) least deprived wards in each year since 1994.

David Miliband: The information requested is shown in the following table. Data for years prior to 1998 is not readily available and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	
		Number of males and females achieving level 2 or above in the Key Stage 1 Test Tasks: 1998–2003
		
			  Male Female 
			  10 per cent. most deprived wards 10 per cent. least deprived wards 10 per cent. most deprived wards 10 per cent. deprived wards 
			 Subject/year Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage 
		
		
			 English reading   
			 2003 33,082 71 23,558 89 36,194 81 23.981 94 
			 2002 34,128 71 23,880 89 36,353 81 24,035 94 
			 2001 34,186 71 24,667 89 37,230 80 24,439 94 
			 2000 34,667 70 23,831 89 37,887 80 24,120 94 
			 1999 35,212 68 24,179 87 38,511 78 24,307 93 
			 1998 34,136 64 23,298 86 38,169 76 24,030 92 
			  
			 English writing   
			 2003 30,752 66 22,662 85 35,246 79 23,700 93 
			 2002 34,653 72 24,163 90 37,535 83 24,434 95 
			 2001 34,963 72 24,957 90 38,354 83 24,800 95 
			 2000 34,992 71 24,004 89 38,728 82 24,371 95 
			 1999 35,407 68 24,353 88 39,247 79 24,586 94 
			 1998 34,552 65 23,587 87 39,010 77 24,257 93 
			  
			 Maths 
			 2003 38,662 83 25,064 94 38,477 86 24,397 95 
			 2002 39,820 83 25,355 94 38,939 86 24,472 95 
			 2001 40,680 84 26,234 95 40,165 87 24,990 96 
			 2000 40,910 82 25,245 94 40,619 86 24,562 96 
			 1999 40,774 78 25,598 93 40,156 81 24,532 94 
			 1998 39,769 75 24,611 91 39,786 79 24,165 93

Failing Schools

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when the schools categorised as (a) subject to special measures, (b) having serious weaknesses, (c) underachieving and (d) having inadequate sixth forms as of 9 April were placed in those categories.

David Miliband: This is a matter for Ofsted. HM Chief Inspector, David Bell, will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of his letter in the Library.

Failing Schools

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which schools Office for Standards in Education categorised as (a) subject to special measures, (b) having serious weaknesses, (c) underachieving and (d) having inadequate sixth forms between 1 January and 9 April.

David Miliband: holding answer 14 May 2004
	This is a matter for Ofsted. HM Chief Inspector, David Bell, will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of his letter in the Library.

Family Fund Trust

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many families have been provided with grants through the Family Fund Trust; what funding will be provided for the Trust over the next three years; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: The Family Fund was set up by the Government in 1973 to give practical help to families with severely disabled and seriously ill children under the age of 16. Since 1998 the charity has received separate funds from the Governments of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales amounting to over £27million in 2003–4. The number of families assisted in England was £35,226 in 2002–3. England has allocated funding of £22.773 million. for 2004–5. The budgets for the years 2005–6 and 2006–7 are yet to be determined.

Family Support Grant

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many organisations have applied for funding from the family support grant in 2003–04; and how many were successful in their application.

Margaret Hodge: A total of 287 applications were received for the family support grant (FSG) 2003–04, of which 26 were successful. In addition, three organisations continued to receive core funding from FSG 2003–04, together with another 55 organisations who received on-going funding originally awarded in previous years. Total funding was £6.3 million.
	I announced details of FSG 2004–05 projects on 10 May 2004.

Fostered Children

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children within the foster care system were born outside the UK.

Margaret Hodge: This information is not collected centrally.

Ministerial Visits

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list visits made by each Minister in the Department between December 2003 and April 2004, broken down by (a) date, (b) constituency visited and (c) cost.

Stephen Twigg: For domestic visits, the Department does not hold this detailed information centrally. To provide this information could only be done at disproportionate cost.
	For overseas visits, the Government publishes on an annual basis the total costs of all ministerial overseas travel and a list of all visits by Cabinet Ministers costing in excess of £500. Information for 2003–4 is currently being collected and will be published as soon as it is ready.

Older People

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills for what (a) initiatives, (b) campaigns and (c) advisory bodies relating to older people his Department (i) is responsible and (ii) has provided funding since 2001; and what the cost in each year was for each one.

Alan Johnson: The tables set out the work the Department for Education and Skills has undertaken or funded since 2001 to promote learning for older people (50+). The main work is support for projects under (a) initiatives.
	The Department has not been responsible for or funded any (b) campaigns. Likewise the Department has not established or funded any national advisory bodies for older people under (c).
	
		(a) Initiatives: 2001–02
		
			 Title Cost (£) Organisation 
		
		
			 Supporting the Better Government for Older People Network 20,000 Better Government for Older People (BGOP) 
			 Celebrating Older Learners 25,000 DfES 
			 The Dark Horse Encourage Programme 15,000 The Dark Horse Venture 
			 Financial Literacy and Older People 60,000 National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) 
			 Learning Support for Older People 50,000 NIACE 
			 Peer tutors project 66,000 Community Education Development Centre 
			 Senior Peer Physical Activity Motivator Programme 14,600 British Heart Foundation National Centre for Physical Activity and Health 
			 Celebrating Older Learners sponsorship project 25,000 NIACE 
			 Leicester LiveAge project 32,000 Leicester Adult Education College 
			 4th Age Learning at home and in day care 33,000 NIACE 
			 Senior Learner Awards 17,100 NIACE 
			 Skills for Older People 50,000 NIACE 
			 Drawn from Memory 20,000 Adult and Community Learning in Oxfordshire 
			 Total funding 427,700  
		
	
	
		2002–03
		
			 Title Cost (£) Organisation 
		
		
			 DfES/BGOP conference 9,000 Better Government for Older People 
			 Senior Peer Physical Activity Motivator Programme 9,700 British Heart Foundation National Centre for Physical Activity and Health 
			 Peer Group Training for Older People 80,000 Community Education Development Centre 
			 Days out! Days in!—4th age learning at home and in day care provision 33,000 NIACE 
			 Fred Moore Institutional Award 21,300 NIACE 
			 Why, Where, What and How Older People Learn 37,800 NIACE 
			 Spotlight 2002 146,440 Meridian Broadcasting Charitable Trust 
			 Senior Learner Awards 28,942 NIACE 
			 USA Development Projects 26,680 The Third Age Trust 
			 Learning Support for Older People 70,000 NIACE 
			 Involving adults in learning through sport 3,000 Youth Sport Trust 
			 LiveAge cd-rom 13,105 Leicester Adult Education College 
			 e-Finance Project 2,000 Coventry City Council 
			 Total Funding 480,967  
		
	
	
		2003–04
		
			 Title Cost (£) Organisation 
		
		
			 Senior Learner Awards 31,430 NIACE 
			 Fred Moore Institutional Awards for 2004 21,300 NIACE 
			 USA Development Projects 17,180 The Third Age Trust 
			 Older and Bolder 71,750 NIACE 
			 Total Funding 141,660

Pre-schools

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the requirements are for pre-school assistants to be able to work in pre-schools; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: The criteria supporting the national standards for under 8s day care and child minding indicate:
	that all pre-school staff should be subject to checks to ensure that they are not disqualified from registration because of previous criminal convictions;
	that they are suitable, both mentally and physically, to care for children; and
	that they have the appropriate skills and ability to do their jobs.

Reading Disability

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps his Department is taking to improve the availability of reading material for those with reading disabilities.

Margaret Hodge: During the past three financial years £220 million has been made available to schools through the Schools Access Initiative; a further £100 million per annum is available for the current year and for 2005–06. This funding can be used to produce materials in alternative formats to enable access to the curriculum for pupils who have reading disabilities.
	It is for schools and local education authorities (LEAs) to ensure that such materials are produced in good time, so that children with reading disabilities are not disadvantaged. Schools and LEAs can use the Department for Education and Skills' Special Educational Needs inclusion site to share information about materials that are required; in production; or already available in different formats.

Recycled Paper

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures he has put in place to ensure that his Department meets the quick win targets set by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to ensure that all paper for printed publications bought by the Department is 60 per cent. recycled of which a minimum of 75 per cent. is post-consumer waste content.

Stephen Twigg: The "quick win targets" set by   DEFRA were communicated widely within the Department, particularly to procurement sections, in October 2003. Due to a lack of re-contracting opportunities since that date it has not so far been possible to implement specific measures to ensure the Department meets the quick win targets. Procurement sections have undertaken to introduce these as soon as re-contracting opportunities arise.

School Sports (Preston)

Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on the effects on schools of changes since 1997 in the level of investment in school sports in Preston;
	(2)  how much money has been allocated to develop school sports in Preston since 1997.

Stephen Twigg: This information is not held in the format requested.
	Within the context of the statutory National Curriculum, where Physical Education (PE) is compulsory for pupils aged 5–16, it is for individual schools to use their budgets as they judge appropriate.
	The Government are investing more than £1 billion in England to transform PE, school sport and club links. The funding will help deliver an ambitious Public Service Agreement target, shared with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, to increase the percentage of 5–16 year olds who spend a minimum of two hours each week on high quality PE and school sport within and beyond the curriculum to 75 per cent. by 2006.
	The Department is providing just over £440,000 to support the delivery of a School Sport Partnership in Lancashire LEA area. The partnerships includes five secondary and 21 primary schools and provides enhanced sports opportunities for all young people to ensure that their pupils spend a minimum of two hours a week on high quality PE and School Sport. A key objective for all School Sport Partnerships is to ensure that the improvements and enhanced opportunities that they deliver are sustainable and embedded within schools to ensure a lasting legacy. The New Opportunities Fund has provided schools in the Lancashire LEA area with nearly 12 million specifically to enhance PE and school sport facilities.
	Latest research, published by the Departments on 4 March 2004 shows that 68 per cent. of pupils in schools that have been in a Partnership for three years, are taking up the two hour entitlement, rising to 90 per cent. at Key Stage 3. Data has been collected from the remaining partnerships and will be published in April.

Schools (Capital Investment)

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many wave 1 approvals under Building Schools for the Future involved (a) local authorities other than in their capacity as local education authorities, (b) learning and skills councils, (c) primary care and other NHS trusts and (d) other public sector bodies.

David Miliband: The following table shows the number of local education authorities in wave 1 of Building Schools for the Future who made specific reference to the requested categories in their proposals.
	
		
			 Local education authorities Number 
		
		
			 Other local authority services 1 
			 Learning and Skills Councils 12 
			 Primary care and other NHS trusts 4 
			 Other public sector bodies 9

Schools (Capital Investment)

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what criteria were used in issuing invitations to local education authorities to submit bids for consideration for wave one of Building Schools for the Future; and what criteria were used to assess the bids.

David Miliband: The information requested is contained in guidance to local authorities, issued in July 2004. A copy is in the House of Commons Library.

Schools (Capital Investment)

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list the local education authorities which applied to wave one of Building Schools for the Future; and what the reasons were for each unsuccessful bid.

David Miliband: The following list shows those authorities which applied for wave one funding in the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme. Projects that were successful in wave one were those which best met our criteria for prioritisation. The criteria for prioritisation were fully set out in the guidance on applying for prioritisation in the BSF programme which we published last July.
	We have discussed with all unsuccessful authorities the reasons why their proposals meet our criteria less well, usually in face to face meetings with my officials.
	Birmingham
	Haringey
	Manchester
	Bracknell Forest
	Harrow
	Newcastle upon Tyne
	Cambridgeshire
	Havering
	Newham
	Cheshire
	Herefordshire
	North Tyneside
	Cornwall
	Hertfordshire
	Nottingham
	Derbyshire
	Islington
	Nottinghamshire
	Doncaster
	Kingston upon Hull
	Oldham
	Dorset
	Knowsley
	Portsmouth
	Dudley
	Lambeth
	Richmond upon Thames
	Durham
	Lancashire
	East Riding of Yorkshire
	Leeds
	Rotherham
	East Sussex
	Leicester
	Salford
	Gateshead
	Lewisham
	Sandwell
	Hackney
	Liverpool
	Solihull
	Somerset
	Telford and Wrekin
	West Sussex
	South Tyneside
	Walsall
	Westminster
	Stoke-on-Trent
	Waltham Forest
	Wolverhampton
	Sunderland
	Wandsworth
	Tameside
	West Berkshire

Schools (Capital Investment)

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of   the performance of Pathfinder local education authorities in Building Schools for the Future.

David Miliband: Partnerships for Schools is monitoring and supporting the pathfinder local authorities. By their nature as pathfinders, we are working with authorities to develop Building Schools for the Future, identifying and resolving issues along the way. The pathfinder projects are progressing well and will be submitting outline business cases shortly for formal assessment.

Schools (Capital Investment)

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of each successful local education authority's secondary schools in wave one of Building Schools for the Future are covered by its bid.

David Miliband: The following table shows the proportion of schools in wave 1 of Building Schools for the Future as a percentage of each local authority's total number of secondary schools.
	
		
			 LEA Total schools in LEA 1 Of which: included in BSF wave Percentage 
		
		
			 Knowsley 11 11 100.0 
			 Lancashire 134 26 19.4 
			 Leeds 68 42 61.8 
			 Leicester 26 26 100.0 
			 Manchester 25 13 52.0 
			 Newcastle-upon-Tyne 11 11 100.0 
			 Newham 15 15 100.0 
			 Solihull 23 9 39.1 
			 South Tyneside 13 13 100.0 
			 Stoke-on-Trent 23 23 100.0 
			 Sunderland 18 9 50.0 
			 Waltham Forest 19 9 47.4 
		
	
	(4) Total number of schools that have been included by the LEA in their submissions to Building Schools for the Future; this may include special, middle and other schools, or units such as pupil referral units, in addition to secondary schools.

Schools (Capital Investment)

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many local education authorities participating in wave one of Building Schools for the Future have (a) identified city academies as an integral part of the plans and (b) included provision for 14–19 education.

David Miliband: Six local education authorities (LEAs) participating in wave 1 of Building Schools for the Future mentioned planned or established Academies in their proposals. We now expect all projects to provide a proper evaluation of Academy options.
	All proposals submitted included provision for 14–19 education.

Schools (Capital Investment)

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the Department's financial commitment is for each successful bid in wave one of Building Schools for the Future, broken down by (a) private finance initiative credits and (b) cash grants.

David Miliband: Total funding available for pathfinder and wave one Building Schools for the Future projects is over £2.2 billion. This includes PFI credits, capital grant and supported borrowings. Details of allocation will not be made until authorities have submitted satisfactory outline business cases, which is expected later this year.

Schools (Capital Investment)

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many projects in wave one of Building Schools for the Future will use the exemplar building design.

David Miliband: It is too early to say how many projects Wave 1 will use any one of the exemplar designs in their entirety. However, all authorities in Wave 1 have warmly welcomed all the exemplar designs and are actively using them in their deliberations with schools to develop their educational vision.

Schools (Capital Investment)

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the cost was of preparing the exemplar building designs in Building Schools for the Future.

David Miliband: The cost of preparing 11 Exemplar Designs to RIBA Stage C—Scheme Design, including fees, securing copyright for the designs, publishing and dissemination was £3.45 million. We expect that through the stimulation of exemplar designs a number of standardised processes, including strategic partnerships, along the supply chain and off-site fabrication will develop to meet the demands of an increased building programme and secure savings on the costs of new schools of around 10 per cent.

Schools (Capital Investment)

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which local education authorities have indicated that they wish to participate in wave 2 of the Building Schools for the Future programme.

David Miliband: Local authorities were invited to submit a proposal for wave 1 and/or an expression of interest for the programme as a whole. All have done so. We will use this information to prioritise projects for the next waves of investment.

Schools (Capital Investment)

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills who owns (a) new and (b) refurbished schools built under the Building Schools for the Future programme.

David Miliband: Ownership of schools will not usually change when schools are built or refurbished in the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme. Exceptions to this are where investment is through a Private Finance Initiative contract, where ownership of the buildings will pass to the public sector provider for the length of the contract, and then revert to the previous owner, and also where an Academy is created. In this case, the Academy Trust' will own the buildings for as long as the Academy remains in operation. If the Academy ceases to exist, ownership of the Academy land, and any buildings on it, will revert to the previous owner, which would be either the LEA or the voluntary aided sector body.

Schools (Capital Investment)

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether the pathfinders for Building Schools for the Future were originally private finance initiative schemes.

David Miliband: An offer to all local education authorities in 2003 to submit projects which would access Private Finance Initiative (PFI) credits in 2004–05 also invited expressions of interest to be pathfinders in the Building Schools for the Future programme. Part, but not all, of the funding to support pathfinder Building Schools for the Future projects will be PFI credits.

Schools (Capital Investment)

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what controls there are to ensure that a wave 1 Building Schools for the Future scheme develops plans for secondary schools, once accepted.

David Miliband: The development of each local authority project will be monitored by Partnerships for Schools. The Department will also see their plans at two formal points, when the outline and final business cases for each project are submitted for approval. We are also   encouraging local authorities to use the local government gateway review process.

Schools (Capital Investment)

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when he expects to announce the results of the second round of the Building Schools for the Future initiative.

David Miliband: We hope to announce the next waves of investment under Building Schools for the Future later in the year—probably in the autumn. We are working to provide this information as soon as possible, once the Secretary of State has decided how to allocate the spending review settlement.

Schools (Physical Exercise)

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps he is taking to (a) increase the percentage of pupils spending at least two hours a week on physical exercise and school sport and (b) increase the time children spend on exercise; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Twigg: The Government are investing more than £1 billion in England to transform PE, school sport and club links. The funding will help deliver an ambitious Public Service Agreement target, shared with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, to increase the percentage of 5–16 year olds who spend a minimum of two hours each week on high quality PE and school sport within and beyond the curriculum to 75 per cent. by 2006.
	Spearheading action is the creation of a network of 400 specialist sports colleges and School Sport Partnerships. There are six other interlinked programmes within the strategy which are designed to help schools and their partners ensure pupils take up their PE and sports entitlement:
	1. Professional Development
	2. School/Club Links
	3. Step Into Sport
	4. Gifted and Talented
	5. Swimming
	6. The QCA PE and School Sport Investigation
	Learning through PE and Sport provides a comprehensive guide to the strategy and a copy has been placed in the House Library.

Special Educational Needs

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of special educational needs co-ordinators.

Margaret Hodge: Special educational needs co-ordinators (SENCOs) play a vital role, in conjunction with head teachers and governing bodies, in co-ordinating schools' work on identifying, assessing and meeting the needs of children with special educational needs.
	The Office for Standards in Education considers the effectiveness of schools in meeting the needs of all learners and this takes account of the contribution made by SENCOs. Ofsted is currently carrying out a thematic study of the implementation of the inclusion framework introduced through the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001 and the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice 2001. The code of practice introduced changes to the school based elements of SEN provision, including measures designed to help reduce paper work for SENCOs.

Special Educational Needs

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps he is taking to ensure that teachers have appropriate training to identify and to respond to the special needs of children in school settings.

Margaret Hodge: New standards for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) came into effect in September 2002 and new induction standards came into force a year later. Both place a greater emphasis on special educational needs (SEN). The Department's guidance on induction also reflects the duties of head teachers and schools under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.
	In order to be awarded QTS, trainee teachers must demonstrate that they understand their responsibilities under the statutory SEN Code of Practice, know how to seek advice from specialists on less common types of SEN, can differentiate their teaching to meet the needs of pupils, including those with SEN, and can identify and support pupils who experience behavioural, emotional and social difficulties.
	The standards for the Induction Support Programme for those awarded QTS require that newly qualified teachers can demonstrate that they can plan effectively to meet the needs of pupils in their classes with SEN, with or without a statement, and, in consultation with the SEN co-ordinator, contribute to the preparation and implementation of individual education plans or the equivalent.
	Once qualified, teachers are expected to identify their developmental needs through performance management arrangements, and to address identified needs, including improving their teaching skills in the area of SEN, by undertaking appropriate professional development.
	Our recently published SEN Strategy, "Removing Barriers to Achievement", recognises the importance of training. We are committed to working closely with the Teacher Training Agency, higher education institutions and other interested parties to ensure that effective arrangements are in place.

Teenage Pregnancy

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures are being taken to reduce levels of teenage pregnancy in the UK.

Stephen Twigg: holding answer 13 May 2004
	The Government have set a target to reduce under 18 conceptions by 50 per cent. by 2010. To achieve this, each local authority has developed a local 10 year strategy, with reduction targets of between 40 and 60 per cent. Based on the best available international research, local strategies adopt a multifaceted approach, which includes a range of measures: to help young people resist peer pressure to have early sex; to improve the quality of sex and relationship education and access to effective contraceptive services; and to involve parents and the wider community. Research published in February 2003 by the Health Development Agency further endorses this approach.

Teenage Pregnancy

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the effect of the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy on the number of teenage pregnancies in the UK.

Stephen Twigg: holding answer 13 May 2004
	Provisional data for 2002 published on 26 February by the Office for National Statistics, shows that the conception rate among under 18-year-olds in England has fallen by 9.4 per cent. since 1998 (baseline year for Teenage Pregnancy Strategy).

Under-five Testing

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on testing for under fives.

Margaret Hodge: We do not test under fives. We do ask for a written summary of a child's progress and learning needs at the end of the Foundation Stage, based on teacher observation. Assessment is an integral part of teaching and learning. The Foundation Stage Profile summary ensures that every child is assessed on a consistent basis. The information helps teachers and parents to support each child's development and progress; at local and national level it ensures that support is targeted appropriately to improve classroom practice.

TRANSPORT

Civil Contingencies

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures are in place to cope with the immediate (a) physical and (b) economic effects of a floating bomb.

David Jamieson: The Government regulates a comprehensive maritime security regime under the Aviation and Maritime Security Act 1990. From 1 July 2004 this will be augmented by the introduction of the International Maritime Organisation's "International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code". We have in addition measures that would enable us to respond proportionately to a range of scenarios.
	The response to mitigate the economic effects would depend on the size and location of a particular incident.

Early Retirement

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff in his Department took early retirement, and at what total cost, in the last financial year.

Tony McNulty: In the financial year 2003–04, 11 officials of the Department for Transport took early retirement, i.e. before they reached the age of 60, at a cost of £1.45 million.

Electric Cars

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action his Department is taking to promote the use of electric cars.

David Jamieson: The Department promotes the use of electric cars in a number of ways. The PowerShift programme provides grants towards the purchase of electric vehicles and the New Vehicle Technology Fund is currently supporting the demonstration of several electric vehicles. The Government also provides fiscal incentives. Electric vehicles are subject to zero vehicle excise duty, an enhanced capital allowance rate of 100 per cent. in the first year and lower personal benefit in kind tax liability. PowerShift approved electric vehicles are also exempt from the London Congestion Charge.

Electric Cars

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many electric cars have been in use in each of the last 10 years.

David Jamieson: The following number of electric cars were licensed at the end of each of the last 10 years.
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 1994 93 
			 1995 74 
			 1996 94 
			 1997 116 
			 1998 151 
			 1999 195 
			 2000 221 
			 2001 272 
			 2002 326 
			 2003 372 
		
	
	Source:
	DVLA vehicle database.

Light Rail

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what steps his Department is taking to encourage the building of light rail systems; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of whether the target for 25 light rail systems set out in the 10-Year Transport Plan will be met.

Tony McNulty: The Department recognises that light rail can bring significant benefits in some places, but has always been concerned with what works best locally and represents value for money, this may or not be light rail; it is not in the business of promoting one mode over another. The 10-Year Plan for Transport stated that up to 25 new light rail lines might be affordable with the 10-Year Plan provision subject to passing the Department's value for money criteria.

MOTs

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the MOT computerisation system to be fully operational.

David Jamieson: The computerised MOT service is due   to go live on 29 November 2004. It will take approximately six months for Siemens Business Services to install computer terminals into all MOT testing stations and train station staff. Consequently, it will be June 2005 before all MOT testing is expected to be conducted using the new service. It will be a further year before there will be an electronic test record of every vehicle subject to test for re-licensing purposes.

MOTs

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how the monies raised from MOT garages as a result of increased MOT certificate fees have been used.

David Jamieson: All monies raised from MOT certificate fees have been credited to the MOT Scheme account. The funds have been used to finance MOT administration and enforcement activities and the costs incurred on the MOT Computerisation Project.
	Any surpluses on the MOT schemes are identified in our Annual Report and Accounts and it is the intention to balance the scheme on a year-by-year basis.

Nettleton Bottom/Brockworth

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what discussions he has had with the Highways Agency about the possibility of building a tunnel from Nettleton Bottom to the Brockworth Bypass, Gloucestershire; what advice he received from that body on this option; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what instructions he gave to the Highways Agency with regard to further investigations regarding improving the A417 between Nettleton Bottom and the Brockworth Bypass, Gloucestershire; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what assessment he has made of the environmental impact of (a) building a tunnel and (b) the current favoured option of the Highways Agency to improve the A417 between Nettleton Bottom and the Brockworth Bypass, Gloucestershire; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  what estimate he has made of the cost of building a tunnel from Nettleton Bottom to the Brockworth Bypass, Gloucestershire; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The interim findings of an environmental study, undertaken by the Highways Agency, to look at options for improving the length of A417 from Cowley to Brockworth were published in a pamphlet in March 2003. The tunnel option was discarded as a result of its high cost (at around £200 million), environmental impact and the implications for road safety. In the light of this the Highways Agency was asked to continue work on various surface options. This work is continuing in liaison with the statutory environmental bodies and other stakeholders. I expect to receive further advice on these options later this year. I will then consider the way forward and make an announcement.

Radioactive Materials

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether radioactive materials may be legally transported (a) on passenger ferries and (b) through the Channel Tunnel.

David Jamieson: The information requested is as follows:
	(a) Yes. The transport of radioactive material on passenger ferries is permissible subject to the safety requirements and restrictions of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, Amendment 31–02, as required by The Merchant Shipping (Dangerous Goods and Marine Pollutants) Regulations 1997 (SI 1997 No 2367); Merchant Shipping Notice No. M 1772(M), "The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Marine Pollutants in Packaged Form—Amendment 31–02 to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code" and, where applicable, The Merchant Shipping (Carriage of Packaged Irradiated Nuclear Fuel etc.) (INF Code) Regulations 2000 (SI 2000 No 3216).
	(b) Yes. Transport through the Channel Tunnel of limited amounts of radioactive material complying with RID 1 /ADR 2 is permissible only as authorised through Eurotunnel Freight by prior agreement between the manufacturer/producer and Eurotunnel. Radioactive material other than that in/as Excepted Packages is further restricted to new manufactured goods in their original packaging.
	1  Convention concerning International Carriage by Rail (COTIF) Appendix B. Uniform Rules concerning the Contract for International Carriage of Goods by Rail (CIM) Annex 1 Regulations concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail (RID) 2001 Edition.
	2  European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR) 2001 Edition.

Road Schemes

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the occasions on which his Department has asked regional assemblies to choose between alternative road schemes, broken down by region; and on what date assembly meetings were held to consider such alternatives.

David Jamieson: The choice between alternative road scheme options is made by Ministers, not regional assemblies. However, through the regional planning process, the programme of multi-modal and road based studies, and the Highways Agency's consultation processes, we have obtained the views of regional assemblies on all trunk road and motorway schemes considered for entry to the Targeted Programme of Improvements, including, where relevant, their views on the choice between alternative scheme options. Given the number of schemes that have been subject to these processes since the establishment of the Targeted Programme of Improvements, it is not practicable to list all of the occasions on which the views of the regional assemblies have been sought or the dates of assembly meetings at which scheme proposals and alternative scheme options have been considered.

Port Security

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport who is responsible for vetting the histories of applicants to become (a) port facility security officers and (b) airport security officers; and what the vetting process is.

David Jamieson: Both port facility security officers and airport security officers are required to undergo appropriate vetting procedures. This is carried out by the vetting section of my Department's Transport Security Directorate (TRANSEC) in conjunction with other Government Agencies.
	No Government clearance will be issued until we are satisfied the person in question does not pose a security threat. The vetting process includes stringent reference checks over a number of years, and a verification process to ensure no inexplicable gaps.

Port Security

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  how much time it takes to train (a) port facility security officers and (b) airport security officers.
	(2)  whether the level of training given to port facility security officers will have to be reviewed for the UK to be compliant with the International Ship and Port Facility Code to be implemented by the UK on 1 July.

David Jamieson: My Department's Transport Security Directorate (TRANSEC) is responsible for developing the required training standards and course criteria for Port and Airport Security Officers.
	In order to comply with the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS) Code, all Port Facility Security Officers (PFSOs) must have completed a TRANSEC approved PFSO course.
	Under the UK National Aviation Security Programme all staff carrying out listed security activities at UK airports have to receive mandatory training modules applicable to their duties.
	TRANSEC carries out regular audits of training providers to ensure high standards and compliance with legal requirements.

Ship Searches

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of cargo ships over 500 tonnes that docked in Britain in 2003 were boarded and searched by border security personnel.

David Jamieson: Ships calling at UK ports may be boarded for a variety of reasons and such operations are   conducted by different Government bodies and agencies; including the Police, Immigration, Customs and Excise, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), and my own Department's Transport Security Directorate (TRANSEC) inspectors. This information is not collated centrally.

Trinity House Lighthouse Service

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library a copy of the report of the Business Process Review of Trinity House Lighthouse Service.

David Jamieson: It is not within the remit of this Department to place a copy of the Report of the Review in the Library of the House, however, it has now been issued to staff and the Trade Unions who have accepted the Report's findings.
	Under the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995, the Secretary of State is required to sanction expenditure by the General Lighthouse Authorities and any proposal to establish new aids to navigation. He has no powers of direction over GLA internal operational matters. The Business Process Review was an internal exercise commissioned by Trinity House Lighthouse Service (THLS) to examine their business processes and update these to take account of best practice and future needs of the lighthouse service.
	In terms of granting access to official information, THLS as a non-departmental public body falls under the jurisdiction of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration. It therefore has its own commitment under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information to extend access to official information and to respond to reasonable requests for information except where disclosure would not be in the public interest in accordance with statutory requirements and the exemptions set out in Part II of the Code. There is no commitment to provide access to documents as distinct from information. Nor does the Code require Government Departments to acquire information that they do not possess.

Vehicle Activated Signs

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many vehicle activated signs are in operation in England.

David Jamieson: This information is not held centrally. Local highway authorities are solely responsible for the installation of any traffic signs and all traffic calming measures including vehicle activated signs. The Highways Agency uses vehicle activated signs in special situations where standard signing has failed to resolve a speed related accident problem.

Vehicle Activated Signs

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate the (a) installation cost and (b) annual maintenance and running costs of vehicle activated signs.

David Jamieson: This information is not held centrally. Local highway authorities are solely responsible for the purchase, installation and maintenance of any traffic calming measure, including vehicle activated signs. Variable Message Signs on motorways have an annual maintenance and running cost of £5,550 per sign per year.

Vehicle and Operator Services Agency

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the Traffic Area Network's financial position was at the point of merger with the former Vehicle Inspectorate; and whether balances were transferred to the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency.

David Jamieson: The financial position of the Traffic Area Network at the point of merger was contained within the Trading Fund Order which brought the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency into being—the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency Trading Order 2003 (SI 2003 No. 942). The balances transferred into the newly-formed VOSA, based on estimated valuations at that time, were as follows:
	
		
			  £ million 
		
		
			 Net Assets 58.2 
			 Net Liabilities 42.6

Vehicle and Operator Services Agency

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State forTransport how much has been spent on the SchlumbergerSema contract in the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency, broken down by main expenditure category.

David Jamieson: The SchlumbergerSema IT Business has been purchased by Atos Origin. The original contract came into effect on 1 January 2003. The expenditure for the financial year 2002–03 was £3.4 million and the estimated expenditure for the financial year 2003–04 is £14.2 million.
	The detailed analysis of this cost is commercial in confidence.

Vehicle and Operator Services Agency

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State forTransport what impact on (a) services and (b) procedures of the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency the award of the contract to SchlumbergerSema has had.

David Jamieson: The strategic partnership contract between Atos Origin (formerly SchlumbergerSema) and VOSA commenced in January 2003.
	The 10-year relationship involves design, build and implementation of a series of integrated business solutions that will have a significant impact on VOSA's business and the quality of services it provides to its customers.
	Early stages include enhancements to project and programme management and significant enhancement to the quality of the IT platform. This will allow development of better, more timely data for VOSA examiners and enable the introduction of new EU initiatives such as Digital Tachographs. This will in turn improve the targeting of likely offenders allowing law-abiding Operators to go about their business with less interference.
	Future plans include developments of a commercial customer portal bringing together current DVO e-services for commercial customer along with a range of new 'e' enabled services, including e-test bookings and e-payments.

CABINET OFFICE

Contingency Planning

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether he has created a working group to consider how to issue advice to individual households within the UK.

Douglas Alexander: A number of working groups have been established to develop the regulations and guidance which will accompany the Civil Contingencies Bill. These working groups are convened by the Cabinet Office, and include members from across the civil protection community. One of these working groups is considering those parts of the legislation covering awareness, warning and informing the public. Full details of these working groups were outlined in the Civil Contingencies Bill update letter to key stakeholders on 2 April 2004, a copy of which has been placed in the Library. A copy of the letter is also available at www.ukresilience.info

Contingency Planning

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what plans he has to issue advice to households in the UK detailing how to plan for and cope with a terrorist attack.

Douglas Alexander: As part of a deliberate strategy by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, an increasing amount of information and advice has been and will continue to be made available to the public about what to do in an emergency, including a terrorist attack.
	Public safety is our first priority in all decisions about public information or warnings. If a warning is necessary to protect public safety in the face of a specific and credible threat, we will issue one without hesitation, as well as giving out any further information that will help the public respond effectively.
	The Government and the emergency services will provide immediate information and advice in the event of a discernible threat or a specific incident.
	There is a wide range of advice and information on the terrorism section of the Home Office website at www. homeoffice.gov.uk/terrorism, at www.ukresilience. gov.uk and on the MI5 website at www.mi5.gov.uk
	Government continue to review the best way to keep the public informed and consider alternatives as part of our wider package of information to the public accordingly.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Immigration Appeals

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many caseworkers in the London office of the Legal Services Commission will deal with applications by publicly-funded providers of immigration services for extensions to the number of hours permitted for advice and appeal preparation; and what their (a) legal qualifications and (b) experience of immigration work are.

David Lammy: There are 22 caseworkers in the London Office of the Legal Services Commission dealing with these applications. Seven of the caseworkers have beenworking on Legal Help, Controlled Legal Representation and certificated immigration and asylum work for over nine months, and three for over three years.
	The London team has six solicitors, each of whom has a minimum of three years' immigration experience and acts as a coach and mentor for the more junior members of staff. The team can draw on support from a further three immigration solicitors, all with a minimum of three years' experience of immigration in private practice, and a team of eight consultants, all of whom are currently working in private practice.
	The head of the London team has 19 years' experience in civil litigation and 15 years' experience in relation to immigration and asylum work specifically.

Public Defenders

David Drew: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs if he will make a statement on the implementation of the Public Defender System.

David Lammy: In order to assess better the performance of the Public Defender Service (PDS) the Legal Services Commission (LSC), with the agreement of Ministers, increased the number of PDS offices from six to eight in 2003. Ministers will make a decision on the future of the PDS in the light of the research at the end of 2005. There are no current plans to open further offices but the Government and the LSC have always said that the PDS provides a flexible option to deliver criminal defence services where existing provision is low, or of poor quality.

Criminal Defence Service

George Howarth: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what action is being taken by the Legal Services Commission to ensure that the Criminal Defence Service works effectively with other parts of the criminal justice system in order to meet the needs of the community as a whole.

David Lammy: The Legal Services Commission is heavily engaged with other agencies to improve the performance of the Criminal Justice System as a whole. The Commission is represented on key standing co-ordination and management groups, such as the National Criminal Justice Board and the Criminal Justice Council. It is playing an integral part in key reform initiatives, such as the Effective Trial Management Programme. In addition, it has a wide range of direct contacts with other agencies aimed at improving particular aspects of the system.

Criminal Defence Service

George Howarth: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the Legal Services Commission is doing to improve the quality of defence services in terms of delays caused in the administration of justice.

David Lammy: The Legal Services Commission is working with other agencies within the Effective Trial Management Programme to reduce delays in court proceedings and in the number of ineffective trials.

Criminal Justice System

David Taylor: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what discussions his Department has had with the (a) Home Office and (b) Department for Transport on reform of the criminal justice system.

Christopher Leslie: My Department and the Home Office are in continuous dialogue on reform of the criminal justice system. We also hold discussions with the Department of Transport when necessary.

Personal Injury Litigation

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many personal injury cases were commenced (a) in the High Court and (b) in the county court in each of the last 10 years; and in relation to (b) how many were (i) in the fast track and (ii) in the multi-track since their introduction; and if he will make a statement on trends in the volume of personal injury litigation.

David Lammy: Figures on personal injury claims commenced in the High Court are set out in the table. Reliable figures on the number of claims to the county court and on how many were dealt with in the fast track and the multi-track are not available, and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			  Claims issued 
		
		
			 1994 1,474 
			 1995 1,224 
			 1996 1,543 
			 1997 1,464 
			 1998 1,754 
			 1999 1,187 
			 2000 1,024 
			 2001 1,019 
			 2002 827 
			 2003 570

Solicitors

Jeffrey M Donaldson: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what plans he has to introduce regulations in Northern Ireland to make provision for solicitors to offer their services on a no-win-no-fee basis.

Christopher Leslie: The Access to Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 provides for the introduction of conditional fee agreements, commonly called no-win-no-fee agreements, and litigation funding agreements. The Northern Ireland Legal Services Commission is currently considering the full implementation of the Access to Justice (Northern Ireland) Order, including the introduction of conditional fee agreements and litigation funding agreements. Decisions on this issue will be taken in the context of the Commission's recommendations on implementation of the Order.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Planning

Bob Spink: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what restrictions are placed on local councillors in respect of (a) receiving representations from residents in respect of planning applications when they are (i) a member of the planning committee and (ii) any other councillor and (b) the ability of these councillors then to speak in debate on such representations.

Keith Hill: There are no restrictions in land use planning legislation on councillors or members of planning committees receiving representations from residents on planning applications. However, where any councillor has a personal 'and' prejudicial interest in any issue to be discussed by a local authority (whether or not in a planning committee), he or she should consider whether the provisions in the relevant authority's Code of Conduct affect their ability to speak in debate on such representations and require them to withdraw from that committee. In making their decision, they may wish to take the advice of their authorities' monitoring officers or the Standards Board for England. In the case of planning committees, they may also wish to consider the Local Government Association's Guidance Note to local planning authorities on preparing Codes of Conduct for councillors and officers specifically involved in planning matters, "Probity in Planning (Update): the role of councillors and officers". This Guidance Note recognises the importance of expressing local concerns in the planning system, while not calling into question the impartiality and integrity of councillors, and ensuring that planning applications are seen to be processed and determined in an open and fair manner.

Brighton and Hove Council

Norman Baker: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what meetings have taken place, and on what date, between representatives of Brighton and Hove council and (a) Ministers and (b) officials in the last two years.

Keith Hill: My right hon. Friend the Member forGreenwich and Woolwich (Mr. Raynsford) met representatives of Brighton and Hove council on 14 January 2003 and 16 February 2004.
	Cllr Ken Bodfish is a member of the Central Local Partnership on the Future of Europe which is chaired by my hon. Friend the Member for Corby (Phil Hope). The Partnership has met four times in the last two years. My hon. Friend the Member for Corby also went to a New Statesman Round Table event on eGovernment attended by Cllr Bodfish on 11 May 2004.
	The information requested about officials' meetings is not held centrally and could only provided only at disproportionate cost. However Government Office South East officials regularly meet with local authorities to discuss a range of issues for which the Government Office has responsibility.

Departmental Procurement

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what percentage of the (a) crockery, (b) cutlery and (c) glassware procured by his Department over the last five years is of British manufacture.

Yvette Cooper: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was established in May 2002, since this time we have procured replacement crockery through the Office of Government Commerce's pre-tendered, EU compliant contracts.

European Charter on Regional Self-Government

Adam Price: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what amendments the Government has tabled since 1998 to   the Draft European Charter on Regional Self-Government.

Nick Raynsford: In 1997 the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe recommended that member states of the Council of Europe adopt a European Charter on Regional Self Government and proposed a draft text for states to consider. Within the Council of Europe, member states' governments are continuing to consider the appropriateness of a charter or other legal instrument on regional self government. Within these discussions the United Kingdom, along with a number of other states, continues to oppose the adoption of a Charter, believing that, given the diversity of States' regional arrangements, a binding charter would be inappropriate.

Housing

Edward Davey: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many (a) affordable housing units and (b) housing units have been built in (i) England and (ii) each English region in each year since 1980.

Keith Hill: The national and regional figures that are available are published in Housing Statistics 2003 (Tables 2.2 and 2.5c). These tables each include a breakdown for those new dwellings built by local authorities and registered social landlords for social renting. A copy of this publication is available in the Library of the House.

Housing

Edward Davey: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many affordable homes were empty for (a) less than 12 months and (b) more than 12 months in (i) England and (ii) each English region in each year since 1980.

Keith Hill: No data is available for empty affordable homes. However, a table with data on empty local authority dwellings from 1983 and empty registered social landlord (RSL) dwellings from 1990 has been made available in the Library of the House.

Housing

Bob Spink: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the local authorities in Essex which (a) retain control of housing stocks and (b) have made representations to him about large scale voluntary transfer of their housing stocks.

Keith Hill: In Essex those local authorities which retain direct control of their housing stock are: Basildon, Braintree, Brentwood, Castle Point, Epping Forest, Harlow, Rochford, Tenering, Thurrock and Uttlesford.
	Both Maldon and Chelmsford have transferred their stock to registered social landlords under the Large Scale Voluntary Transfer programme (LSVT). To date no other authorities in Essex have formally applied for LSVT.
	Colchester has established an Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO) for its stock. The housing stock in Colchester is still owned by the local authority but is managed by the ALMO.

Housing

Norman Baker: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will take steps to discourage migration within the UK from areas of sufficient housing supply to those where it is in deficit.

Keith Hill: It is not the policy of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to discourage, or prevent, movement within the UK. To do so would be to undermine the flexibility of our labour market and, with it, economic growth. Statistical returns do not suggest that large scale migration is taking place between English regions.
	Constraining growth in the more successful regions would not necessarily benefit the less successful ones, but the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is committed to improving the performance of all the regions and to reducing the disparities in growth between them through targets in our Regional Economic Performance Public Service Agreement.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is also working to regenerate those areas worst hit by population loss through our market renewal pathfinders. The programme aims to tackle the low demand and abandonment in these areas and create a balanced and sustainable housing market for the future.

Housing

David Drew: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will publish the provisional findings of 2002–03 data from the English House Condition Survey; how many (a) council and (b) registered social landlord properties that were classified in the survey as non-decent; and what the total cost of the repair backlog on these properties is.

Keith Hill: There are no provisional figures for 2002 from the continuous English House Condition Survey (EHCS).
	The continuous survey was designed to provide estimates combining data from two years which could then be rolled forward annually.
	The first results from the continuous EHCS, updating the published 2001 baseline and based on the 2002–03 and 2003–04 financial years, will be available before the end of 2004.

Housing

David Drew: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he will announce a target for the provision of additional social housing to address long-term need.

Keith Hill: The Government have accepted that there is a case for increased investment in social housing and will begin to address this in the 2004 Spending Review. There are currently no plans to announce a long-term target for the overall provision of additional social housing.

Housing

David Drew: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether the Government expect to meet its target of 100,000 affordable homes by 2004; and what the state of progress was on 1 April.

Keith Hill: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is on course to achieve our target to provide 100,000 new or improved homes for low cost renting or owning in the three years to 1 April 2004. Provisional figures indicate that 103,000 homes have been provided.

Housing

David Drew: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  whether the Government are on track to achieve their target of elimination of non-decent stock by 2010; and what proportion of stock remained non-decent on 1 April;
	(2)  whether the Government achieved their target of cutting the number of non-decent local authority homes by a third by April; and how many local authority homes were classed non-decent on 1 April;
	(3)  whether the Government achieved their target of cutting the number of non-decent housing association homes by a third by April; and how many housing association homes were classed as non-decent on 1 April.

Keith Hill: The target of eliminating non-decent social sector stock in 2010 is challenging but the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is making good progress, reducing the number of non-decents by 1 million since 1997. The increase in resources to £3.6 billion per year by 2005–06 together with the package announced on 5 May put us on track.
	The milestone of one third reduction applies to the whole social sector not the sectors individually. Our estimates of the position at 1 April 2004, based on local authority and housing association outturn up to March 2003 and their plans to March 2004 shows a 26 per cent. reduction across both sectors. We expect to meet the one third reduction during 2004. From the same data source we estimate the proportion of non-decent homes remaining at 1 April 2004 is 28 per cent.
	For the local authority sector the estimated reduction by 1 April 2004 is 32 per cent. with 810,000 non-decents remaining. For housing association it is 6 per cent. with 360,000 non-decents remaining. These figures take into account the impact of the transfer of stock from local authorities to housing associations.

Housing

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how the change in the level of council funding for housing has affected the residents of Blackpool, South since 1997.

Keith Hill: Since 1997 allocations of capital funding to local authorities for housing purposes have risen consistently by about 15 per cent. per annum on average. This includes the Major Repairs Allowance introduced in 2001–02 specifically for the improvement of local authority stock, alongside the Decent Homes standard which sets out minimum standards to be met by 2010. Blackpool's allocations in the period 1997 to 2003–04 have risen by 109 per cent. In addition to this welcome increase there is support through the Community Housing Task Force and Government Office for the North West to help the local authority and its tenants to choose the best strategy for long-term improvement.

Housing Renewal Programme

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what funds and on what basis are paid to Pathfinder housing renewal programmes; how this changes the finance available for (a) registered social landlords and (b) finance councils; and what the effects are of such changes in each region.

Keith Hill: A Market Renewal Fund has been created which will provide an additional £500 million across the nine pathfinder areas over the three year period 2003–04 to 2005–06.
	Funding will be performance related throughout and agreed in negotiation with each pathfinder on the basis of their strategic schemes. The schemes are subject to Independent Scrutiny by the Audit Commission.
	Funding will be used for the additional housing action needed to address the most acute areas of low demand. Projects will include demolitions, new building and refurbishment and will be chosen or commissioned by the pathfinder on the basis that they support the strategic objectives for their area. This may include projects delivered by RSLs, LAs and other delivery partners.
	The Market Renewal Fund is in addition to other finance available to registered social landlords and local authorities from existing funding streams.
	The effect of this funding is to support the additional costs of tackling the most acute areas of low demand. These areas could not be tackled at the scale and pace necessary within the constraints of existing funding streams.

Local Authority Statutory Officers

Nigel Jones: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  whether a local authority has the power to suspend one of the authority's statutory officers before the appointment of a designated independent person under The Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) Regulations 2001, if the authority has received an independent report from an external consultant of the   serious effect of bullying and harassment by the statutory officer on the physical and mental well-being of other officers of the authority;
	(2)  whether a local authority has the power to suspend one of the authority's statutory officers before the appointment of a designated independent person under The Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) Regulations 2001, if the authority has received more than one allegation of bullying and harassment by the statutory officer; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Raynsford: Arrangements for councils to handle allegations of misconduct by their head of paid service, monitoring officer or chief finance officer are set out in the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) Regulations 2001. The Regulations provide that the authority may suspend the officer for up to two months in order to allow investigation of the allegation. This period may begin before the appointment under the Regulations of an independent person to investigate the allegation and who, once appointed, may extend the period of suspension. Apart from this, no disciplinary action may be taken by an authority in respect of the officer concerned other than in accordance with a recommendation of a report made by the independent person. It is for the authority to decide whether it appears to them that an allegation requires investigation and to ensure that the decisions it makes are within the powers available to it.

Productivity

Bob Spink: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what action he is taking to (a) increase the productivity and (b) cut the costs of his Department and its agencies and non-departmental public bodies.

Yvette Cooper: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, the hon. Member for Bolton, West (Ruth Kelly) on 10 May 2004, Official Report, columns 148–49W.

Regional Assemblies

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will publish the texts of his speeches, and those of his colleagues, made as part of the regional hearings on elected regional assemblies.

Nick Raynsford: Formal speeches used at the regional hearings can be found on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website: www.odpm.gov.uk.
	However, at some hearings Ministers did not use a scripted speech; therefore speeches are not available in all cases.

Regional Government

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the location was of the regional hearings on elected regional assemblies held in Halifax and Sheffield; and how many (a) members of the public and (b) invitees attended.

Nick Raynsford: The Sheffield hearing was held in the Pennine Theatre at Sheffield Hallam University. It is estimated that there were 135 members of the public who attended, including 67 invitees.
	The Halifax hearing was held at the Viaduct theatre at Dean Clough. It is estimated that there were 210 members of the public who attended, including 84 invitees.

Social Housing

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his estimate is of the average monthly rent and charges falling on the average property in (a) housing associations and (b) council housing in Yorkshire and Humberside.

Keith Hill: The latest available rental figures for social housing within Yorkshire and The Humber are as follows:
	
		£ per month
		
			  Housing Associations Council Housing 
		
		
			 Reference period end-March 2003 2003–04 
			 Average Net Rent   (excluding service charges) 210.90 184.47 
			 Average Gross Rent   (including service charges) 227.72 n/a 
		
	
	Note:
	Reliable information on average service charges for council housing is not available at the present time.
	Sources:
	(a) Housing Corporation, Regulatory and Statistical Return, 2003.
	(b) Local authorities, second advance subsidy claim forms.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Adviser Discretion Fund

Archy Kirkwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to (a) increase the Adviser Discretion Fund levels for lone parents and   (b) allow for multiple Adviser Discretion Fund awards to those with multiple barriers to finding employment.

Jane Kennedy: We have no plans to increase the Adviser Discretion Fund levels for lone parents as we   believe that the current levels are sufficient. The maximum amount from the ADF that a lone parent can access in a 12 month period is £300. However, the average amount awarded by the fund is £91. These levels are kept under review.
	In exceptional circumstances where lone parents need assistance totalling more than £300, the award of a higher amount from the ADF may be authorised.
	There is no limit to the number of elements in an award, provided these total less than £300.
	Personal Advisers can already make more than one award to a lone parent from the Adviser Discretion Fund. Each time a lone parent requests assistance from the ADF their Personal Adviser will check that they are eligible for help and that using the fund is removing a barrier to employment.

Adviser Discretion Fund

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average payment from the Adviser's Discretionary Fund was in each of the last five years; how many people have been given payments from the fund in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: The information is in the table.
	
		Adviser Discretion Fund1
		
			  Number of awards Average value of award 
		
		
			 July 2001 to March 2002 104,388 60 
			 April 2002 to March 2003 138,370 76 
			 April 2003 to March 2004(6) 345,189 97 
		
	
	(5) The Adviser Discretion Fund was introduced in July 2001.
	(6) Latest available figures.
	Source:
	Department for Work and Pensions Provision and Adviser Division.

Benefit Claimants (Over-50s)

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of incapacity benefit claimants between the age of 50 and state pension age are in each decile of overall income distribution; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: The information is in the tables. It is presented both before housing costs (BHC) and after housing costs (AHC) have been taken into account.
	
		The number of incapacity benefit claimants between the age of 50 and state pension age in each decile of the equivalised income distribution
		
			 Decile BHC AHC 
		
		
			 1 130,000 120,000 
			 2 130,000 150,000 
			 3 130,000 110,000 
			 4 110,000 130,000 
			 5 120,000 100,000 
			 6 100,000 90,000 
			 7 70,000 70,000 
			 8 40,000 50,000 
			 9 and 10 50,000 60,000 
		
	
	
		The proportion of incapacity benefit claimants between the age of 50 and state pension age in each decile of the equivalised income distribution -- Percentage
		
			 Decile BHC AHC 
		
		
			 1 15 13 
			 2 15 17 
			 3 15 12 
			 4 13 15 
			 5 13 12 
			 6 11 10 
			 7 8 8 
			 8 4 6 
			 9 and 10 6 6 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures are for the financial year 2002–03, the latest date for which data are available.
	2. Estimates are for Great Britain.
	3. Estimates relate to the status of individuals at the time they were interviewed for the FRS.
	4. The estimates are based on sample counts, which have been adjusted for non-response using multipurpose grossing factors that control for tenure, council tax band and a number of other variables. Estimates are subject to sampling error, and to remaining variability in non-response which is not corrected by the grossing regime.
	5. The income measure used is weekly net (disposable) equivalised household income
	(that is to say income that is adjusted to reflect the composition of the household).
	6. The Households Below Average Income series presents analysis of income of two bases: Before Housing Costs (BHC) and After Housing Costs (AHC). This is principally to take into account variations in housing costs that themselves do not correspond to comparable variations in the quality of housing.
	7. Proportions are presented to the nearest per cent, and numbers to the nearest 10,000. Rounding numbers in this way means that compared to other rounding conventions, the distribution is smoother at this level of rounding for the small subset of the population.
	8. Deciles nine and 10 have been combined as individually, these deciles contained too few households to provide robust estimates.
	Source:
	Family Resources Survey (FRS).

Benefit Fraud

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will place in the Library a breakdown by local authority of the (a) financial rewards received under the Security Against Fraud and Error Scheme, (b) benefit expenditure and (c) financial rewards received under the Security Against Fraud and Error Scheme as a percentage benefit expenditure for the most recent year available.

Chris Pond: holding answer 13 May 2004
	The information has been placed in the Library.

Child Support

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether those in receipt of incapacity benefit are registered by ethnic background; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: Those in receipt of incapacity benefit are not registered by ethnic background. However, Jobcentre Plus has started to collect information, on a voluntary basis, in areas where customers are required to have a work-focused interview in connection with claims for working-age benefits. This will be extended to other areas as Jobcentre Plus offices, and the necessary information management systems, are rolled out nationally over the next few years.

Departmental Expenditure (Entertainment)

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his latest estimate is of the amount spent by his Department on official entertainment in each year from 1996–97 to 2004–05.

Jane Kennedy: All expenditure on official hospitality is made in accordance with published departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on the principles set out in Government Accounting. It is typically incurred by the various DWP Businesses to mark the launch of significant initiatives—for example: the introduction of New Deal 50+; the national introduction of New Deal for Partners; launching call centres for jobseekers; implementation of Employment Zones; and launch of ONE pilots in conjunction with local authorities and the private and voluntary sectors.
	The information is not available in the format requested. It is not possible to provide expenditure information back to 1996–97 for the Department for Work and Pensions, which has existed only since 1 April 2001. The figures for 2001–02 onwards, therefore, are the only expenditure figures relating to the Department for Work and Pensions. Figures for 2004–05 will not be available until the spring of 2005.
	In order to provide figures which are reasonably comparable, information for the earlier years has been   provided by combining expenditure on "official hospitality" by the former Department of Social Security (DSS), and on "official entertainment" by the former Employment Service (ES) which, together with relatively small numbers of staff from the Employment Policy Divisions of the former Department for Education and Employment (DFEE), combined to form the new Department for Work and Pensions. However, the expenditure incurred by the Employment Policy Divisions of DFEE is not separately identifiable.
	Estimated expenditure 1 on official hospitality on this basis is as follows:
	1  Figures rounded to the nearest £000.
	
		
			  £  
		
		
			 1996–97 147,000 DSS+ES 
			 1997–98 46,000 DSS+ES 
			 1998–99 86,000 DSS+ES 
			 1999–2000 327,000 DSS+ES 
			 2000–01 127,000 DSS+ES 
			 2001–02 155,000 DWP 
			 2002–03 250,000 DWP 
			 2003–04(7) 400,000 DWP 
		
	
	(7) Expenditure figures for 2003–04 are provisional and may be subject to adjustment.

Disability Benefits

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of women were claiming disability benefits in each year since 1997, broken down by (a) benefit and (b) age; how long the average claim was in each case; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: The information, which is available for all years other than for industrial injuries disablement benefit in 2003, has been placed in the Library.

Health and Safety Inspectors

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many Health and Safety Executive health and safety inspectors were working in the field at (a) 1 June 2000 and (b) 1 March 2004.

Jane Kennedy: We do not have precise figures for the dates requested due to the way HSE collects data on this subject.
	
		
			 Inspectors in the field Total 
		
		
			 1 April 2000 1,306 
			 1 April 2004 1,501 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. The figures for 1 April 2000 are actual. Those for 1 April 2004 are estimated or subject to confirmation.
	2. As far as possible inspector staff undertaking more generalised HQ functions have been eliminated from these figures.
	3. All figures are for full-time equivalent staff.
	4. Inspectors at senior grades, or working in other parts of HSE are not included.

Health and Safety Inspectors

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many inspectors were employed by the Health and Safety Executive (a) in the Factory Inspectorate, (b) in the Nuclear Inspectorate and (c) on other duties in each of the last 10 years, broken down by grade; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: The following table contains the information on the number of inspectors employed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) on 1 April for the years 1995 to 2004.
	The information requested for the period between 1995–96 and 2003–04 is not maintained within HSE in the format requested by this question, i.e. by grade. This information is only held from the period 2000–01 and is not linked to discipline, and can only be extracted at a disproportionate cost to HSE. The Health and Safety Executive's policy is to retain personnel data for six years in line with the requirements of Treasury. However, we have been able to extract the figures from our Annual Reports and from available archived data within the Directorates in question.
	The available information is in the table.
	
		Number of inspectors employed by HSE
		
			 As at 1 April FOD NSD Other Total 
		
		
			 1995 — — — (8)1,478 
			 1996 — — — (8)1,466 
			 1997 (9)780 153 509 1,442 
			 1998 783 147 507 1,437 
			 1999 853 144 500 1,497 
			 2000 (10)898 156 453 1,507 
			 2001 (11)954 152 428 1,534 
			 2002 (12)955 156 514 1,625 
			 2003 962 167 522 1,651 
			 2004 (13)901 167 537 1,605 
		
	
	(8) Analysis by Directorate for the years 1995–96 and 1996–97 is not readily available within the timescale for this parliamentary question.
	(9) During 1996–97 there were transfers of posts between Safety Policy Directorate, Chemical and Hazardous Installations Divisions, Field Operations Directorate, Nuclear Safety Directorate and Offshore Safety Division following the Review of Senior Management.
	(10) Reorganisation of HSE 1 April 2000
	(11) Field Operations Directorate and HM Railway Inspectorate brigaded May 2000.
	(12) Field Operations Directorate and HM Railway Inspectorate de-brigaded April 2002.
	(13) During 2003–04 there were transfers of posts between Field Operations Directorate, Hazardous Installations Division and Technology Division due to re-organisation.

Incapacity Benefit

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans there are to review the success of work focused interviews for partners of incapacity benefit recipients in finding them employment.

Jane Kennedy: Work Focused Interviews for Partners (WFIP) were implemented on 12 April 2004. They will be fully evaluated along with the enhanced New Deal for Partners (NDP). WFIP and NDP are separate but complementary policy initiatives aimed at broadly the   same client group (partners of those receiving jobseeker's allowance, incapacity benefit, income support, severe disablement allowance or carer's allowance). The evaluation will look at the effect of WFIP and NDP on individuals and households.
	It will provide us with information to improve the delivery of these initiatives, where necessary, and also to inform future policy decisions—including partners of incapacity benefit recipients.
	The first phase of the evaluation findings is expected to be published in summer 2005.

Incapacity Benefit

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have found (a) full-time and (b) part-time work as a result of attendance at work focused interviews for partners of incapacity benefit recipients since the scheme was introduced.

Jane Kennedy: Work Focused Interviews for Partners (WFIP) were introduced in Jobcentre Plus areas on 12 April 2004. It is too soon to provide information about job placings.
	The Work Focused Interview provides an important platform for us to talk to partners about opportunities to work and about sources of help and advice. We expect most job outcomes will be achieved as a result of participation in New Deal for Partners, following the Work Focused Interview.

Incapacity Benefit

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many incapacity benefits claimants there are in (a) each region and (b) each of the 30 areas with the poorest labour market position; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: The information has been placed in the Library.

New Deal (Lone Parents)

David Borrow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work   and Pensions how many lone parents in South Ribble have gained work through the New Deal programme.

Jane Kennedy: 320 lone parents in South Ribble have gained work through the New Deal for Lone Parents since the start of the programme in October 1998. Figures for lone parents who have gained work through other New Deal Programmes are not available.

Pensioner Benefits

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work   and Pensions 
	(1)  what the total Government expenditure on pensioner benefits (a) in pounds, (b) in real terms and (c) as a percentage of gross domestic product was in each year since 1992;
	(2)  what the predicted total Government expenditure on pensioner benefits (a) in pounds, (b) in real terms and (c) as a percentage of gross domestic product is over the next three years.

Malcolm Wicks: The information is in the table.
	
		Expenditure on pensioner benefits 1992–93 to 2006–07
		
			   Cash terms (£ million) Real terms (£ million, 2004–05 prices) Percentage of Gross Domestic Product 
		
		
			 1992–93 Outturn 35,387 47,810 5.8 
			 1993–94 Outturn 37,811 49,731 5.8 
			 1994–95 Outturn 38,723 50,189 5.6 
			 1995–96 Outturn 39,919 50,276 5.5 
			 1996–97 Outturn 41,829 50,923 5.4 
			 1997–98 Outturn 43,426 51,560 5.3 
			 1998–99 Outturn 45,165 52,122 5.2 
			 1999–2000 Outturn 47,934 54,120 5.2 
			 2000–01 Outturn 50,580 56,377 5.2 
			 2001–02 Outturn 54,493 59,192 5.4 
			 2002–03 Outturn 57,404 60,367 5.4 
			 2003–04 Estimated outturn 60,347 61,739 5.4 
			 2004–05 Forecast 64,728 64,728 5.5 
			 2005–06 Forecast 67,735 66,070 5.4 
			 2006–07 Forecast 71,352 67,735 5.5 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures include basic State Pension (contributory and non-contributory), severe disablement allowance, widow's-bereavement benefits and invalidity-incapacity benefit paid to pensioners, additional State Pension (State Second Pension-SERPS), Graduated retirement benefit, Christmas bonus, winter fuel payment, 80 plus payment, one-off 70 plus payment (for 2004–05), free TV licences for over 75s, pensions compensation board, income support for people over 60-minimum income guarantee-pension credit, housing benefit and council tax benefit.
	2. Forecast figures for 2003–04 to 2005–06 are consistent with Budget 2004 medium-term forecasts; forecast figures for 2006–07 are consistent with Budget 2004 long-term projections.
	Source:
	(Benefit expenditure Tables consistent with the Budget 2004, and long term projections for 2006–07.

Pensioner Incomes

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the (a) median and (b) average income of pensioners was in each year since 1997.

Malcolm Wicks: The following table gives the median and mean average weekly incomes of pensioners between 1996–97 and 2002–03. Information is given in 2002–03 prices and rounded to the nearest pound.
	
		The mean and median income of pensioners since 1996–97
		
			  1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 Growth 1996–97 to 2002–03 (Percentage) 
		
		
			 Pensioner units
			 Median net BHC income 156 159 161 169 173 183 189 21 
			 Mean net BHC income 199 202 208 216 225 233 237 19 
			  
			 Pensioner couples
			 Median net BHC income 226 227 231 237 248 253 262 16 
			 Mean net BHC income 287 289 294 301 316 329 327 14 
			  
			 Single pensioners
			 Median net BHC income 125 126 128 135 140 148 153 23 
			 Mean net BHC income 145 147 153 160 167 170 177 22 
		
	
	Pensioner units, pensioner couples and single pensioners have seen significant real terms growth in both mean and median net weekly incomes (before housing costs) between 1996–97 and 2002–03. Annual estimates are based on survey data and are subject to sampling error—strong conclusions should not therefore be drawn about year-on-year changes in pensioner incomes.

Pensions (Compensation)

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the estimated cost is of compensating, on the same formula that the Pension Protection Fund will use, all those pensioners who will have lost all or part of their occupational pension prior to the commencement of the Pension Protection Fund.

Malcolm Wicks: We do not have the information available to answer this question. This would require detailed information on individual schemes including breakdowns of membership distribution and annual accrual rates.
	We are currently working with trustees to gather data about defined benefit schemes that are winding up under funded. Using this data we will establish firm estimates of the extent of the problem.

Poverty

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the level of persistent poverty.

Chris Pond: Indicators of persistent low income for children, working age adults and older people are included in the fifth annual Opportunity for all report (Cm 5956), which is available in the Library.
	We are determined to tackle poverty, from childhood through to old age. The nature of measuring persistent low income means that it will take longer for the impact of tax credits, increases in employment and pension credit for example to be reflected in the data. The progress we have made, for instance, in reducing the number of children with low incomes in a given year have yet to show up in these figures. However, there are now over half a million fewer children in low-income households (below 60 per cent. median income) than in 1997.

Trade Mark Schemes

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of whether trade mark schemes can help to reduce the cost of employers' liability compulsory insurance.

Jane Kennedy: The Department is aware of a range of trade mark schemes that are designed to help to reduce the cost of employers' liability compulsory insurance. These include the Association of British Insurers' (ABI's) initiative 'Making the Market Work'. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 23 March 2004, Official Report, column 740W.
	The National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) has set up with the Electrical Contractors' Insurance Company their own insurance via a captive cell fund exclusively for NFRC members to offer insurance roughly 10 per cent. below current market rates and with longer notice periods and more certainty of gaining cover.
	As with the evaluation of the 'Making the Market Work' initiative by the ABI, if the NFRC undertakes an evaluation of the scheme the Government will take a close interest in the outcome.

Weekly Benefit Savings Scheme

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will place in the Library a breakdown by local authority of (a) savings achieved under the Weekly Benefit Savings scheme, (b) benefit expenditure and (c) weekly benefit savings as a percentage of benefit expenditure for (i) 2000–01 and (ii) 2001–02.

Chris Pond: holding answer 13 May 2004
	The information has been placed in the Library.
	For local authorities, the Weekly Benefit Saving (WBS) scheme was replaced by the Security Against Fraud and Error (SAFE) scheme on 1 April 2002. The WBS scheme was specifically for fraud and was a measurement of prevention whereas the SAFE scheme is for fraud and claimant error and rewards detection.

TREASURY

Ammonium Nitrate

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many tonnes of ammonium nitrate fertiliser were discovered by Customs and Excise being imported into the United Kingdom in each year since 2000.

John Healey: The number of tonnes of ammonium nitrate fertilizer imported into the UK between 2000 and 2002 is shown in the following table. There were no import control restrictions in place between 2000 and 2003. However, regulations were introduced on 1 May 2003 requiring ammonium nitrate fertilizer with high nitrogen content to have satisfied a Detonation Resistance Test (DRT). Import figures for 2003 are not yet available.
	
		Imports into the UK of ammonium nitrate fertilizer
		
			  Tonnes 
		
		
			 2000 1,242,471.9 
			 2001 1,143,713.6 
			 2002 813,923.3 
		
	
	Source:
	Overseas Trade Statistics, HM Customs and Excise

Carers

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate his Department has made of the number of carers in the United Kingdom, broken down by the number of hours of care provided per week.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Gordon Marsden, dated 17 May 2004
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question concerning the estimate of the number of carers in the United Kingdom, broken down by the number of hours of care provided per week. (172752)
	Figures from the "Census 2001 Key Statistics for local authorities in England and Wales" indicate that there were 5,884,450 people in the United Kingdom providing unpaid care.
	The information below has been extracted from the CD supplement to the "Census 2001 Key Statistics for local authorities in England and Wales", which is available in the House of Commons Library. The table shows the distribution of these carers according to the number of hours of care provided per week.
	
		Number of people providing unpaid care in the United Kingdom -- United KingdomAll Carers
		
			  Provision of unpaid care 
			 Area All Carers Provides care: 1 to 19 hours Provides care: 20 to 49 hours Provides care: 50 or more hours 
		
		
			 United Kingdom 5,884,450 3,971,829 661,952 1,250,669 
		
	
	Source :
	Table KS08 Census 2001 Key Statistics for local authorities in England and Wales

Child Tax Credits

Robert Wareing: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many families in Liverpool, West Derby have received child tax credits.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer my hon. Friend to my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Burton (Mrs. Dean) on 15 March 2004, Official Report, column 98W.

Council Tax

Edward Davey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average council tax was as a percentage of gross income for (a) pensioner and (b) non-pensioner households in all quintile groups in each financial year since 1997–98.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Colin Mowl to Mr. Edward Davey, dated 17 May 2004
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question asking what the average council tax was as a percentage of gross income for (a) pensioner and (b) non-pensioner households in all quintile groups in each financial year since 1997–98.1 am replying in his absence. (172877)
	Estimates have been produced from the Office for National Statistics' analysis "The effects of taxes and benefits on household income" published on the National Statistics website on 6 May 2004 at http://www.statistics.gov.uk/taxesbenefits. The analysis includes measures of income inequality for the United Kingdom as a whole based on data from the Expenditure and Food Survey.
	The current analysis presents data for the category 'Council tax and Northern Ireland rates', as opposed to the category 'Local taxes' used in previous analyses. This is because, from this year, charges made by water authorities for water, environmental and sewerage services have been excluded. This treatment conforms to the National Accounts classification and definition of taxes where water rates and related charges are considered a charge for services rather than a tax. They have therefore been excluded from the calculation of disposable income. This reply is based on the new methodology.
	Pensioner households have been defined as those where the Household Reference Person is retired or unoccupied and aged 65 or more and male, or 60 years of age or more and female, and economically inactive. All other households are defined as non-pensioner households. The Household Reference Person is identified during the interview and is defined as the member of the household who:
	a. owns the household accommodation, or
	b. is legally responsible for the rent of the accommodation, or
	c. has the household accommodation as an emolument or perquisite, or
	d. has the household accommodation by virtue of some relationship to the owner who is not a member of the household.
	If there are joint householders, the Household Reference Person will be the householder with the highest income. If the income is the same, then the eldest householder is taken.
	The following table shows the estimated gross and net council tax for pensioner households, non-pensioner households and all households in Great Britain for each income quintile where households are ranked by equivalised disposable income. The net council tax figures are gross council tax less benefits and discounts. The table also shows the equivalised disposable income quintile point boundaries, which have been calculated separately for each group of households.
	
		Council tax as a percentage of gross income for pensioner(14) and non-pensioner households
		
			   Quintile groups of all households ranked by equivalised disposable income 
			 Great Britain(15) Households Bottom  2nd  3rd  4th  Top All households 
		
		
			 Quintile points(16) (equivalised disposable income, per year)   
			 1997–98 Pensioner  7,701  9,503  11,707  15,393   
			  Non-pensioner  9,177  13,623  18,449  25,508   
			  All households  8,564  11,936  16,442  23,588   
			 1998–99 Pensioner  8,031  9,765  12,298  16,742   
			  Non-pensioner  9,509  14,328  19,400  26,804   
			  All households  8,832  12,582  17,281  24,384   
			 1999–00 Pensioner  8,475  10,316  13,008  17,213   
			  Non-pensioner  9,909  15,215  20,401  28,596   
			  All households  9,193  13,221  18,324  26,295   
			 2000–01 Pensioner  8,492  10,621  13,259  17,951   
			  Non-pensioner  10,807  15,832  21,349  29,712   
			  All households  9,821  13,893  19,134  27,296   
			 2001–02 Pensioner  9,459  11,742  14,244  18,703   
			  Non-pensioner  11,647  17,133  22,784  31,396   
			  All households  10,647  14,943  20,231  28,840   
			 2002–03 Pensioner  10,096  12,524  15,285  20,203   
			  Non-pensioner  11,910  17,591  23,526  32,707   
			  All households  11,242  15,541  20,977  29,745   
			 
			 Gross council tax as a percentage of gross income   
			 1997–98 Pensioner 8.5  6.4  5.2  3.9  2.8 4.4 
			  Non-pensioner 5.4  3.1  2.3  1.8  1.3 2.1 
			  All households 6.3  4.1  2.8  2.1  1.4 2.4 
			 1998–99 Pensioner 8.8  6.5  5.4  4.2  2.8 4.5 
			  Non-pensioner 5.5  3.2  2.4  1.9  1.3 2.1 
			  All households 6.5  4.3  2.9  2.2  1.4 2.4 
			 1999–00 Pensioner 9.9  7.2  5.6  4,3  2.9 4.8 
			  Non-pensioner 6.2  3.4  2.5  2.0  1.3 2.2 
			  All households 7.3  4.5  3.0  2.3  1.4 2.6 
			 2000–01 Pensioner 10.4  7.1  5.6  4.6  2.9 4.9 
			  Non-pensioner 5.6  3.2  2.5  2.0  1.4 2.2 
			  All households 7.0  4.3  2.9  2.2  1.5 2.6 
			 2001–02 Pensioner 9.8  7.0  5.9  4.6  3.0 5.0 
			  Non-pensioner 6.0  3.3  2.5  2.0  1.3 2.2 
			  All households 7.2  4.4  3.1  2.3  1.4 2.6 
			 2002–03 Pensioner 9.8  7.0  5.7  4.6  3.1 5.0 
			  Non-pensioner 6.0  3.5  2.7  2.1  1.4 2.4 
			  All households 7.1  4.6  3.2  2.4  1.6 2.7 
			 
			 Net council tax(17) as a percentage of gross income   
			 1997–98 Pensioner 5.2  4.0  3.8  3.0  2.6 3.3 
			  Non-pensioner 2.6  2.5  2.2  1.8  1.3 1.8 
			  All households 3.3  2.9  2.5  2.0  1–4 2.0 
			 1998–99 Pensioner 6.3  4.4  3.8  3.3  2.5 3.5 
			  Non-pensioner 3.0  2.6  2.3  1.9  1.3 1.9 
			  All households 3.9  3.1  2.6  2.1  1.4 2.1 
			 1999–00 Pensioner 6.9  4.8  4.1  3.4  2.7 3.7 
			  Non-pensioner 3.2  2.9  2.4  2.0  1.3 2.0 
			  All households 4.2  3.4  2.7  2.2  1.4 2.2 
			 2000–01 Pensioner 7.1  4.9  4.3  3.7  2.7 3.9 
			  Non-pensioner 3.1  2.8  2.4  2.0  1.4 2.0 
			  All households 4.2  3.3  2.7  2.2  1.5 2.2 
			 2001–02 Pensioner 7.0  5.0  4.2  3.8  2.8 4.0 
			  Non-pensioner 3.7  2.9  2.4  2.0  1.3 2.0 
			  All households 4.7  3.3  2.8  2.3  1.4 2.2 
			 2002–03 Pensioner 7.1  4.6  3.9  3.6  3.0 3.9 
			  Non-pensioner 3.7  3.0  2.6  2.1  1.4 2.1 
			  All households 4.6  3.4  2.9  2.4  1.6 2.4 
		
	
	(14) Household reference person is economically inactive and over minimum state pension age.
	(15) Council tax is not paid in Northern Ireland.
	(16) Equivalised disposable income at the boundary point between two quintile groups.
	(17) Net council taxes after deducting benefits and discounts.
	Source:
	Office for National Statistics, based on the analysis "The effects of taxes and benefits on household income", published on the National Statistics website.

Departmental Annual Report

Norman Lamb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much the production of his Department's latest annual report cost; how many copies were printed; how many copies of it were sold at its cover price; to whom copies of the report have been provided free of charge; and how many copies were provided free of charge.

Ruth Kelly: Publication of HM Treasury's Departmental Report (Cm 6222) was handled by the Stationery Office Ltd. (TSO). Printing and other production costs were paid for by TSO as the publisher and the document was designed in-house by members of the Treasury's publishing unit. TSO have printed 740 copies of the report with 200 copies purchased by the Treasury for internal purposes, 203 copies supplied to Parliament and, to date, an additional 131 copies have been sold by TSO.

Financial Services Authority

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many regulatory impact assessments have been (a) conducted and (b) published by the Financial Services Authority in each of the last five years; and what percentage of new regulatory measures this represents.

Ruth Kelly: The matters raised in this question are the responsibility of the Financial Services Authority (FSA), whose day-to-day operations are independent from government control and influence. The following figures have been provided by the FSA. They are for the number of cost-benefit analyses (CBAs) conducted and published by the FSA over the past five years. The proportion of new measures these represent is given in brackets. In 2003, 42 (93 per cent.); 2002, 41 (93 per cent.); 2001, 27 (71 per cent.); 2000, 29 (71); and in 1999, 8 (42 per cent. ).

Fuel Tax

Simon Burns: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will abandon the implementation of fuel tax increases in September; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Budget Statement of 17 March 2004, Official Report, column 329.

Gershon Review

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with Sir Peter Gershon regarding the total savings in public sector employment within the Department for Trade and Industry as a result of his efficiency review.

Paul Boateng: Treasury Ministers meet frequently with Department for Trade and Industry Ministers who are working closely with Sir Peter Gershon to identify efficiencies within the Department. These will release further resources for frontline public services.

Gold Reserves

Bob Spink: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the value of the gold held in UK reserves was at the afternoon fix on 11 May.

Ruth Kelly: At the afternoon fix on 11 May 2004 the   value of the gold held in the UK reserves was approximately $3,775 million.

Housing

Edward Davey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the average build cost of a new home in the (a) social housing sector and (b) private housing sector in the last year for which figures are available.

Keith Hill: I have been asked to reply.
	The average cost of a new build dwelling for social rent in England, in 2003/04, is £116,000. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not keep comparable information for the private sector.

Income Tax

Robert Wareing: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many senior citizens in Liverpool, West Derby constituency qualified for the 10 pence rate of income tax in each year since its introduction.

Dawn Primarolo: A reliable answer cannot be given. This is because the sample size of pensioners living in the Liverpool West Derby constituency is relatively small compared to other constituencies in the Survey of Personal Incomes.

Inheritance Tax

Norman Baker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much he estimates was lost to the public purse as a result of the exemption from inheritance tax of the estate of the late Queen Mother.

Gordon Brown: holding answer 10 May 2004
	Further to my answer of 13 May 2002, Official Report, column 437W, the amounts involved in the estate of any taxpayer are subject to the Inland Revenue's normal rules of confidentiality.

International Aid

Lynne Jones: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the effects of providing resources for the world's poorest countries (a) through the International Finance Facility and (b) through direct aid.

John Healey: Since this Government came to power, UK official development assistance has increased by 97 per cent. in real terms, and our aid ratio as a proportion of national income is set to reach 0.4 per cent. in 2005–06. But it has been estimated that the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals will require an extra US$50 billion more in aid every year until 2015. That is why the UK has proposed the IFF to deliver the funds that are needed now, when they will have the most impact on reducing poverty. The IFF would raise the significant additional resources necessary to make progress on meeting the Millennium Development Goals.
	The IFF would not be a new disbursement agency but a facility designed to deliver additional funds for development that would then be delivered through existing mechanisms, both through bilateral assistance and multilateral organisations.

Job Vacancies

Robert Wareing: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many job vacancies there were in Liverpool, West Derby constituency in (a) 1989, (b) 1997 and (c) 2003.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Wareing dated 17 May 2004
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about job vacancies in Liverpool, West Derby. (173673)
	According to Jobcentre Plus administrative records the numbers of unfilled vacancies in the Liverpool travel-to-work area on average for the year 1989 was 2,967 and in 1997 it was 4,330. These figures represent only a proportion of all the vacancies available, as not all vacancies are notified to Jobcentres.
	Figures are not available for Liverpool, West Derby alone because the vacancies are allocated to local Jobcentres, not according to constituency boundaries, and because of the practice of notifying some vacancies centrally with one Jobcentre taking vacancies for others in the same district.
	Jobcentre vacancy statistics were withdrawn from National Statistics in September 2001 as a result of distortions to the data, which occurred following the introduction of new administrative procedures by Jobcentre Plus. Comparable figures for vacancies in 2003 are therefore unavailable.
	Results from the ONS Vacancy Survey were released as National Statistics from July 2003, but are not available for local areas.

Job Vacancies

Joe Benton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many new jobs have been created in Bootle since 1997;
	(2)  what the (a) change and (b) percentage change was in full-time permanent jobs in Bootle from 1997 to 31 December 2003.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Colin Mowl to Mr. Benton dated 17 May 2004
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Questions about full-time jobs and jobs created in Bootle. I am replying in his absence. (173146, 173147)
	While statistics of jobs created are not available explicitly, statistics from surveys enable comparisons to be made of net changes in numbers of jobs from year to year.
	The attached table shows the information requested, relating to all jobs and full-time jobs in Bootle for 1997 and 2002, which is the latest year for which figures are available.
	Information is not available about whether the jobs were permanent.
	
		Number of full-time employees and total number of employees(18) in Bootle Parliamentary Constituency: 1997 and 2002 -- Percentage
		
			  Full-Time Total 
		
		
			 Number of employees 
			 1997 22,200 29,666 
			 2002 28,196 39,017 
			 Change from 1997 to 2002 
			 Absolute 5,996 9,351 
			 Percentage 27.0 31 .5 
		
	
	(18) Employee jobs only, not self-employed jobs
	Source:
	1997; Annual Employment Survey, rescaled 2002; Annual Business Inquiry (ABI)

Public Sector Employment

John Mann: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the impact of job growth in the private sector over the past seven years upon employment figures in the public service.

Paul Boateng: As a result of the macroeconomic stability and labour market reforms delivered by this Government, employment in the public and private sectors has grown by 1.9 million since 1997, of which over 70 per cent. was in the private sector, and the total number of people in work in the UK is now the highest since records began. While jobs have risen and fallen in a number of areas, jobs in construction are up by 335,000; jobs in finance and business services up by 856,000; transport and communications up by 170,000; and distribution and hotels up by 424,000.

Teenage Pregnancies

Simon Burns: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many girls aged 18 years and under, broken down by age, have (a) become pregnant and (b) had an abortion in each of the last three years.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Simon Burns, dated 17 May 2004
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many girls aged 18 years and under, broken down by age, have (a) become pregnant, and (b) had an abortion, in each of the last 3 years. (172866)
	Numbers of conceptions are estimated from registrations of births and notifications of abortions. Miscarriages before the 24th week of gestation are not included.
	Numbers of conceptions, and those leading to an abortion, at ages 18 years and under are given in the attached table, broken down by age.
	
		Number of conceptions to women aged 18 years and under, by outcome and age of woman (single years) at conception—England and Wales, 1999 to 2002
		
			  Total conceptions Number terminated by abortion 
		
		
			 Under 14   
			 1999(19) 406 232 
			 2000(19) 397 236 
			 2001(20) 398 219 
			 2002(21) 359 — 
			 Age 14   
			 1999(19) 1,866 1,081 
			 2000(19) 1,890 1,100 
			 2001(20) 1,883 1,154 
			 2002(21) 1,652 — 
			
			 Age 15   
			 1999(19) 5,673 2,870 
			 2000(19) 5,827 3,048 
			 2001(20) 5,610 3,025 
			 2002(21) 5,111 — 
			
			 Age 16   
			 1999(19) 13,334 5,845 
			 2000(19) 13,153 5,854 
			 2001(20) 13,103 5,993 
			 2002(21) 12,376 — 
			
			 Age 17   
			 1999(19) 20,749 8,063 
			 2000(19) 20,081 8,020 
			 2001(20) 19,972 8,323 
			 2002(21) 19,117 — 
			
			 Age 18   
			 1999(19) 26,627 9,637 
			 2000(19) 26,180 9,651 
			 2001(20) 25,731 9,666 
			 2002(21) 24,239 — 
		
	
	(19) Source:
	Table 12.2, Birth Statistics, Series FM1, No. 30, Office for National Statistics.
	(20) Provisional figures.
	(21) Provisional estimates are based on incomplete abortion data, therefore the number terminated by abortion is not provided.

Tonnage Tax

Robert Wareing: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the progress of the review of the tonnage tax.

Dawn Primarolo: The tonnage tax review is currently considering a number of representations from professional advisors, industry bodies, companies and Unions. These cover diverse areas of the regime, including the range of vessels covered by the regime, the training link, and numerous technical points. The impact of the regime on British shipping is being assessed. Certainly there has been a very positive effect on the registration of ships under the UK flag.
	In particular, the review is also addressing the impact of revisions to the EU State Aid guidelines for maritime transport that were issued in January 2004. Discussions, primarily on the changes that will be necessary as a result of the changes to the guidelines continue between officials at the Inland Revenue and Department for Transport with industry bodies.
	I expect that a number of proposals for revision of the scheme will be put forward in due course, but at this stage it is not possible to give a firm date by which the review will be completed.

PRIME MINISTER

Government Buildings

Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 28 April, Official Report, column 1087W, on Government buildings (party use), for what reasons he has not identified the amount of income received.

Tony Blair: As I made clear in my earlier answer, the costs of such events are met directly by the Labour Party.

Honours List

Andrew Turner: To ask the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a consolidated list of recipients of honours since 1997.

Tony Blair: Details of all honours are published in the London Gazette, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

Iraq

Glenda Jackson: To ask the Prime Minister if he will call upon the Coalition Provisional Authority urgently to review the present policy on Iraqi prisons and prisoners.

Tony Blair: The Iraqi Corrections Service and the Coalition Provisional Authority are currently working on a comprehensive set of policies and procedures for the entire Iraqi Corrections Service. These will be approved by the CPA Senior Adviser for Prisons and the Director of the Iraqi Corrections Service headed by an Iraqi national. The office of the UK Special Representative for Iraq stays in close touch with CPA prisons advisers, and policy and progress is kept under regular review.
	The CPA has a senior adviser for prisons and there are currently 60 CPA trainers and advisers working with the Iraqis. There are currently three senior UK prison advisers working in the UK area of operations.
	The UK will be sending additional UK prison officers to assist the Iraqis in administering prisons and to monitor progress in the current UK area of operations following the transition of sovereignty on 30 June.

Iraq

Glenda Jackson: To ask the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library details of the policy agreed bythe Coalition Provisional Authority on the (a) administration of Iraqi prisons and (b) the oversight and maintenance of prisoners and their welfare.

Tony Blair: In June 2003, Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) Orders 7 and 10 and "Implementing Memorandum number 2 (Management of Detention and Prison Facilities)" set in place detailed guidance for the administration and maintenance of Iraqi prisons and prisoners which are already publicly available on the CPA website. Copies have been placed in the Library of the House.
	All Iraqi corrections officers and Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) advisers are required to follow a code of conduct that requires the humane treatment of prisoners. Coalition soldiers involved in looking after the administration and maintenance of Iraqi prisons and prisoners are governed by the Geneva Convention.

Iraq

Glenda Jackson: To ask the Prime Minister who, within the Coalition Provisional Authority, has responsibility for prisons policy in Iraq, in relation to (a) administration of personnel and (b) the welfare of prisoners.

Tony Blair: The Senior Adviser for Prisons and his staff have primary responsibility within the Coalition Provisional Authority for prison policies in Iraq. They work closely with the Iraqi Ministry of Justice and the Iraqi Corrections Service on administration of personnel and welfare of prisoners. The Ministry of Human Rights already have access to criminal detainees whenever they wish.

Iraq

Glenda Jackson: To ask the Prime Minister 
	(1)  when he received a copy of the International Committee of the Red Cross report of February 2004 into allegations of abuse by Coalition forces of Iraqi detainees;
	(2)  on what date he was first informed of the existence of the Report by the International Committee of the Red Cross on the treatment by the Coalition forces of prisoners of war and other persons protected by the Geneva Conventions in Iraq during arrest, internment and interrogation, dated February 2004; and on what date he read it;
	(3)  when the International Committee of the Red Cross Report on the treatment by coalition forces of prisoners of war in Iraq was received in Number 10 Downing Street; and what action was taken.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave to the right hon. Member for Folkestone and Hythe (Mr. Howard) at Prime Ministers Questions on 12 May 2004, Official Report, columns 347 to 349.

Iraq

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Prime Minister whether he has undertaken a (a) comparison and (b) reconciliation with the results of the Iraq Survey Team of information supplied by Iraq in response to UNSC Resolution 1441.

Tony Blair: The work of the Iraq Survey Group is continuing and a final report has yet to be produced.

Iraq

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Prime Minister on what date the International Committee of the Red Cross report on the treatment by Coalition forces of prisoners of war and other persons protected by the Geneva conventions during arrest, internment and interrogation in Iraq was received by his Office.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave to the right hon. Member for Folkestone and Hythe (Mr. Howard) at Prime Ministers Questions on 12 May, Official Report, columns 347 to 349.

Iraq

Glenda Jackson: To ask the Prime Minister whether he has read the Amnesty International report, Iraq—Killings of Civilians in Basra and al-Amaia, published on 11 May; and what response he has made to it.

Tony Blair: As I said at Prime Minister's Questions on 12 May, Official Report, column 348, Amnesty International has passed eight cases to us, seven of which are already known to us. The one that is not known to us is being investigated.

Nuclear Non-proliferation

Llew Smith: To ask the Prime Minister what matters regarding nuclear non-proliferation were discussed with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on 10 May.

Tony Blair: I discussed a wide range of issues with the Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao during his recent visit to the UK, including nuclear non-proliferation. I refer my hon. Friend to the joint statement released by the United Kingdom and China on 10 May 2004, which is available on the No. 10 website.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Prime Minister how many complaints have been made by civil servants to the Civil Service Commissioners regarding the conduct of (a) special advisers and (b) unpaid advisers in each year since 1996–97.

Tony Blair: Information relating to complaints made by civil servants to the Civil Service Commissioners is set out in the Civil Service Commissioners' annual report.
	Copies of the reports since 1996–97 are available in the Library of the House and can also be found on the Civil Service Commissioners website. The report for 2003–04 will be published shortly.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Asylum and Immigration

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which air and sea ports in the United Kingdom have previously had routine staffing by the Immigration Service but currently do not; when such staffing ceased; what checks are made on persons arriving at such ports; and how many illegal immigrants were refused entry at such ports in each year from 1996 to 2003.

Des Browne: Port staffing levels in the United Kingdom are determined by a number of Factors:
	Current and projected numbers of passenger arrivals;
	For seaports the number of freight vehicles that will require searching;
	An assessment of the casework generated from the arriving passenger traffic;
	Projected numbers of asylum seekers that will require interview on arrival.
	It is only at ports where passenger services have ceased that immigration coverage has been withdrawn. At smaller ports resources are deployed to meet arriving traffic and in addition powers under the Immigration & Asylum Act 1999 are used flexibly to clear passengers where appropriate. Passengers subject to control will be examined to ascertain whether they qualify for entry to the UK. This examination will include checks against the Immigration Service database.
	A breakdown of persons refused entry and removed by port is not currently published and would be available only at disproportionate cost.

Asylum and Immigration

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the discretionary amnesty to asylum seekers with children will be extended to asylum seekers from EU accession countries who are in the UK on 1 May.

Des Browne: Applicants from EU accession countries who come within the terms of this exercise will continue to qualify for indefinite leave to remain after 1 May. We have no plans to extend the exercise to cover all asylum seekers from these countries.

Asylum and Immigration

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for   the Home Department what new measures his Department plans to improve the initial asylum decision-making process.

Des Browne: We have put a strategy in place to deliver further improvements in the quality of initial asylum decisions. It is comprehensive and builds on mechanisms already in place as well as including additional measures recently identified to help drive up decision quality.
	In broad terms our aim is to:
	invest in recruitment, learning and development so that caseworkers are even better equipped to take high quality decisions;
	enhance our quality assurance systems by better targeting of checks on problem areas;
	improve country information, instructions and processes so that caseworkers always have the right tools to support high quality decision-making;
	increase the contribution by external organisations to the delivery and accreditation of our quality mechanisms.

Asylum and Immigration

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what new measures his Department plans to improve the asylum removal system, to ensure that a failed claim leads to a swift removal.

Des Browne: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend, the Member for Stretford and Urmston (Beverley Hughes) on 17 March 2004, Official Report, column 338W.

Asylum and Immigration

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answer of 6 January 2004, Official Report, column 242W, on overseas posts (performance targets), for what reason there are no targets set by his Department for the processing of entry clearance appeals once they are received by the Appeals Processing Centre; how many appeals papers are deemed to require further action from the overseas post; and what plans the Government have for setting such targets.

Des Browne: The Immigration Appellate Authority's capacity to receive no more than 7,100 appeals per month, when taken together with the priority given to asylum, has influenced the speed at which entry clearance and other non-asylum appeals can be processed through the Appeals Processing Centre (APC). As a result, specific timescale targets have not yet been set for APC's entry clearance team. Targets will be set during the next financial year. Up to 20 per cent. of entry clearance appeals received by APC per month require further contact with posts overseas.

Asylum and Immigration

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) immigrants and (b) asylum seekers were living in each county in England and Wales in each year since 1997.

Des Browne: The information is not available in the form requested. Data on how many immigrants live in each county in England and Wales is not available and could only be produced at a disproportionate cost.
	Information on the number of asylum seekers supported by The National Asylum Support Services is published quarterly. The next publication covering the first quarter of 2004 (January to March) will be available on 25 May on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www. homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html. Data for earlier quarters is published in earlier editions of the publication and is also available on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website.

Asylum and Immigration

Peter Kilfoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many refused asylum seekers have been repatriated.

Des Browne: We have taken repatriation here to mean removal. The number of persons who had claimed asylum at some stage and have been removed from the United Kingdom in each year between 1993 and 2003 is given in the table.
	Information on the number of asylum applicants removed from the United Kingdom is published quarterly on the Home Office website: www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.
	
		Removals and voluntary(22)departures of asylum applicants 1993 to 20032
		
			  Principal applicants Dependants Total 
		
		
			 1993 1,820 n/a n/a 
			 1994 2,220 n/a n/a 
			 1995 3,170 n/a n/a 
			 1996 4,820 n/a n/a 
			 1997 7,165 n/a n/a 
			 1998 6,990 n/a n/a 
			 1999 7,665 n/a n/a 
			 2000 8,980 n/a n/a 
			 2001 9,285 1,495 10,780 
			 2002(24) 10,740 3,170 13,910 
			 2003(24) 2003 4,550 17,040 
		
	
	n/a = not available.
	(22) Includes persons departing "voluntarily" after enforcement action had been initiated against them, persons leaving under Assisted Voluntary Return Programmes run by the International Organisation for Migration, and removals on safe third country grounds.
	(23) Data on dependants of asylum seekers removed have only been collected since April 2001.
	(24) Provisional figures.

Asylum and Immigration

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what steps were taken to inform hon. Members of changes to support provision for asylum seekers from EU accession countries after 1 May;
	(2)  what provision will be available to support asylum seekers from EU accession countries whose applications are outstanding after 1 May.

Des Browne: From 1 May 2004 nationals of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Cyprus and Malta, will no longer be eligible for National Asylum Support Service (NASS) support or for support from a local authority under the Asylum Support (Interim Provisions) Regulations 1999. This is because of the effect of paragraph 5 schedule 3 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002. Schedule 3 also prohibits local authorities from providing support to European Economic Area (EEA) nationals under other provisions including section 2 of the Local Government Act 2000, section 21 of the National Assistance Act 1948 and section 17 of the Children Act 1989. However, schedule 3 does not prevent the exercise of a power or the performance of a duty if, and to the extent that, its exercise or performance is necessary for the purpose of avoiding a breach of a person's convention rights or a person's rights under the Community Treaties.
	Unaccompanied asylum seeking children from these accession countries will continue to be eligible for support under the existing mechanisms and provisions until their 18th birthday.
	Asylum seekers from the accession states will, from 1 May 2004, have the same rights to travel as other nationals of EU and EEA member states. Asylum seekers from the eight eastern European accession countries, namely the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia ("the A8 countries"), will generally be able to take up employment in the UK, providing they register under the Worker Registration Scheme, which will become operational from 1 May 2004. Once they have secured employment and registered under the scheme asylum seekers from the A8 countries may become eligible for family tax credit and child benefit. If they are on low incomes they can also access housing benefit and council tax benefit.
	Part time workers may also be eligible for income based Job Seekers Allowance or Income Support, provided they meet the usual conditions for those benefits.
	Maltese and Cypriot nationals will have the same rights as existing EEA nationals. If they are seeking work they have the right to reside and look for work for six months. If they satisfy the Habitual Residence Test they will be eligible to apply for income related benefits and for social housing and homelessness assistance. Maltese and Cypriot nationals who are not economically active will only have a right to reside if they are self sufficient and are not placing an unreasonable burden on UK social assistance funds.
	Our position is clear, as EU citizens these people are able to work and cannot be maintained at public expense. They gain from being a part of the EU but must become self supporting or return home.
	NASS wrote to people in early April to explain their options and then visited many of them at home giving a further opportunity to explain why they would not be able to make alternative arrangements. If people cannot take up one of the options for good reason they need to contact us to explain why.
	Since 5 April 180 people have in fact made representations to us, and around 10 per cent. of those have been granted transitional support. Each is dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
	The Immigration and Nationality Directorate has also been working with local authorities, their associations and voluntary sector organisations to keep them informed of the position.
	No specific steps have been taken to inform hon. Members of the provision available to these accession state nationals.

Asylum and Immigration

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers have been given leave to remain in the UK as a result of the exercise announced by him in October 2003; how many dependants have also benefited from this exercise; how many failed asylum seekers who have exhausted their appeal rights have benefited; and how many cases have been refused.

Des Browne: An announcement detailing the results of the exercise including the available statistical information will be made when the exercise is completed. We would not wish to release figures until all those potentially qualifying applicants have had an opportunity to respond to our queries.
	We have made good progress in considering the cases originally identified. The bulk of cases has been processed with the majority, where the applicants have responded to our queries, having been decided. We are reliant on the applicants we contact replying to our queries promptly. Those not doing so are being reminded.

Asylum and Immigration

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 2 March 2004, Official Report, column 898W, on asylum and immigration, if he will break down the numbers of asylum seekers refused support under section 55 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 by country of origin.

Des Browne: The information requested is unavailable and could be produced only at a disproportionate cost.
	Information on the number of asylum seekers supported by the National Asylum Support Services is published quarterly. The next publication covering the first quarter of 2004 (January to March) will be available on 25 May on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www. homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html

Asylum and Immigration

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what factors influenced his decision to exclude Northern Ireland as a destination for asylum seeker dispersal; and what plans he has to review his policy.

Des Browne: The National Asylum Support Service (NASS) undertook research to identify the most suitable areas for the dispersal of asylum seekers. The aim was to establish cluster areas where there was already an ethnic minority community or where it was believed the area   was capable of sustaining a new community. Other   factors taken into consideration included the availability of support services able to assist newly arrived asylum seekers. It was always acknowledged that not all areas would be suitable for dispersal and, with regard to Northern Ireland, the research identified both a low population of ethnic minorities and a lack of available support services. While the area was not designated as a dispersal area it was agreed that those making their application for asylum in Northern Ireland could remain there if they requested it. Others making their application elsewhere can opt to live with family and friends in Northern Ireland and receive subsistence only support from NASS.
	Most of the contracts NASS has with private and public sector providers are due to expire next year and NASS is now looking at where and how to procure accommodation.

Asylum and Immigration

Hilton Dawson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the   compatibility of Clause 8 of the Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants) Bill with the (a) Human Rights Act 1998, (b) Children Act 1989 and (c) Children Bill.

Des Browne: holding answer 29 April 2004
	Clause 8 does not prevent the exercise of a power or the performance of a duty where this is necessary to avoid a breach of a person's Convention Rights.
	The Government do not believe clause 8 is incompatible with the Children Act or the Children Bill. Provisions to safeguard and promote children's welfare must take account of the fact that failed asylum seeking families do not have the right to remain in the UK.

Asylum and Immigration

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to the announcement on 30 January of the new agreement on returning Indian immigration offenders, if he will set out the mechanism that will apply to such return; and how many Indian nationals have been returned under this agreement.

Des Browne: The agreement reached with the Indians—the first such agreement they have signed—will accelerate the redocumentation of Indian immigration offenders which the UK seeks to return to India. The Indians have agreed to a more streamlined system of referral and consideration which will be a significant improvement on previous arrangements whereby documents could take up to 18 months to obtain. They have also agreed improved arrangements to deal with immigration offenders who are clearly Indian citizens, but who refuse to co-operate with the documentation process and who refuse to sign a visa application form.
	Following the signing of the agreement the Indian Government have had to put in place revised administrative arrangements. This has taken some time, but the new arrangements were in place with effect from 21 April. Consequently there has, so far, been no opportunity to deliver returns under the new arrangements. It is intended to begin referring cases under the new arrangements immediately.

Asylum and Immigration

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to the concession announced by the Home Secretary on 24 October 2003 to allow families who have been in the United Kingdom for three or more years to stay, how many families he expects to be affected; how many persons in total will be affected; how many of those families have been contacted by the Immigration and Nationality Department (IND) to date and given leave to remain; whether he expects IND will have contacted all the relevant families and completed the bulk of the cases by July; what the timescale is for contacting and processing remaining families; and when he expects to allow immigration practitioners to send in a list of cases they believe are covered by the family concession for confirmation that they will receive a questionnaire.

Des Browne: An announcement detailing the results of the exercise including the available statistical information will be made when the exercise is completed and all those potentially qualifying applicants have had an opportunity to respond to our queries.
	Good progress has been made in considering the cases originally identified. The bulk of these cases have been processed with the majority, where the applicants have responded to our queries, having been decided. We rely on the applicants we contact replying to our queries promptly and those not doing so are being reminded. We expect the bulk of the cases eligible for ILR to have been processed by July when we will consider how best to sweep up those who believe they are eligible but have not yet been contacted.

Asylum and Immigration

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the   Home Department how many weeks' training Immigration and Nationality Directorate caseworkers receive; how many other organisations are involved in   such training; and what the starting salary of caseworkers is.

Des Browne: Training, consisting of classroom based and formal coaching, will normally last up to six weeks. The amount will depend on the type of casework; the specific roles of the caseworker; and the individual's previous experience.
	After formal training and coaching, caseworkers will continue to receive support from their managers and from senior caseworkers.
	The United Kingdom High Commission for Refugees and Social Services have been involved in training design and quality assurance. Casework training is being reviewed, including the use of other organisations in training delivery.
	The national starting salary for caseworkers in the main caseworking grade (Executive Officer) is £16,606 (£17,294 plus £1,300 London Location Allowance in Croydon).

Asylum and Immigration

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  pursuant to his statement of   30 March 2004, Official Report, column 1439, on immigration entry clearance standards, which Home Office official met the UK consul in Romania; what was discussed at the meeting; whether minutes were taken of the meeting; what actions were taken as a result of the meeting; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  pursuant to the statement of the Minister for Immigration and Nationality of 30 March 2004, Official Report, column 1476, if he will place in the Library a copy of the report of the meeting between a senior Immigration and Nationality Directorate official and the British embassy in Bucharest.

Des Browne: A senior Home Office official in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate was in Bucharest on 1 and 2 March for talks with the Romanian Government on our on-going co-operation on illegal immigration.
	As part of the visit he held briefing meetings in the embassy. The UK Consul in Romania was present at these.
	The visit produced proposals on a number of aspects of immigration to the UK. These are being taken forward and, where relevant, have been fed into the Sutton enquiry. The report on the visit is internal advice to Ministers, which is not for publication.

Asylum and Immigration

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which air and seaports do not have routine staffing by the Immigration Service.

Des Browne: All the major ports in the United Kingdom (including seaports, hover ports, airports and Waterloo) have a permanent Immigration Service presence. In 1992, following the withdrawal of routine Customs and Excise attendance from ports where they had traditionally operated an immigration control on behalf of the Immigration Service, then Ministers introduced a new policy for immigration coverage of small ports and airports. This policy was later developed with the introduction of new powers in the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 enabling a more flexible approach to the operation of the immigration control. Under the Act carriers are obliged to notify the UK Immigration Service in advance of all passengers subject to control. The passengers will then be cleared by the Immigration Service either by attending the port or remotely; the decision being based on all the available intelligence.

Asylum and Immigration

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish (a) the most recent annual figures of the number of persons refused permission to travel to the United Kingdom by British immigration officers operating from French departure points, broken down by (i) month and (ii) departure points and (b) the most recent estimates of his Department of the annual number of persons prevented from travelling to the United Kingdom by foreign immigration officers at departure points at which British immigration officers are present in an advisory capacity.

Des Browne: A breakdown of persons refused and removed by port is not currently published and would be available only at disproportionate cost.
	Locally collated management information indicates that during 2003 more than 9,000 passengers have been prevented from travelling from France to the UK as a result of a range of measures including: enhanced juxtaposed controls, deployment of new detection technology and close co-operation with our EU counterparts, carriers and port operators.
	The Airline Liaison Officer (ALO) network as well as working closely with airlines to provide training and advice has meant that more than 6,000 people travelling to the UK have been denied boarding by airlines after reference to an ALO during 2003.
	In addition airlines advise the Immigration Service that other passengers are also denied boarding at ALO locations as an indirect result of the training and guidance provided to carriers by ALOs.

Asylum and Immigration

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what routine measures are practised by United Kingdom authorities to detect attempted illegal entrants to the United Kingdom other than those in force at embarkation and arrival points.

Des Browne: The Government have recognised for some time that preventing the arrival in the UK of those who would not qualify to enter or remain must be a key element of its immigration control strategy.
	The increasing involvement of organised crime in illegal immigration led to the creation in 2000 of Reflex, the multi-agency forum which brings together key law enforcement players including the Immigration Service, as well as relevant Government Departments and the Security Services, under the chair of the National Crime Squad.
	Reflex has successfully brought focus to the issue and has also provided funding and structures to tackle the problem both in the UK and overseas.
	UK funding for two successful infrastructure-building projects in the Western Balkans was provided by Reflex, as was funding for other projects in Romania and Turkey aimed at upstream disruption of illegal migration.
	As part of a longer-term strategy, the National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS) manages an expanding network of Immigration Liaison Officers (currently 12) in key overseas posts who work closely with local law enforcement agencies to combat illegal migratory flows.
	We have also had in place for some time a network of Airline Liaison Officers (currently 25) working closely with airline staff at key locations worldwide, who offer advice to carriers on the admissibility of passengers seeking to travel to the UK.
	We are working closely with UK Visas to put in place visa fraud officers at a number of our missions overseas to enhance further the quality of visa issues.
	I should also point out that the introduction of juxtaposed immigration controls in France, and the deployment of New Detection Technology (x-ray machines and scanners) in France and Belgium have been very successful in identifying and stopping unqualified passengers from travelling on to the UK. Further development of this strategy is in hand.

Asylum and Immigration

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to ensure that enforcement of immigration controls in (a) Cherbourg and (b) Dorset operates to the same standard seven days per week.

Des Browne: holding answer 5 May 2004
	The UK Immigration Service does not presently operate in Cherbourg. A pilot project was recently operated at Cherbourg whereby Immigration officers acted in an advisory capacity to the ferry operators to reduce the number of illegal entrants and inadmissible passengers at the point of departure. There are current proposals under way to deploy new detection technology to Cherbourg in partnership with the port authority.
	In Dorset the UK Immigration Service operates full immigration border controls at Poole seven day a week. UK Immigration Officers attend the control and check all arriving passengers and will continue to do so.

Asylum and Immigration

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many illegal immigrants were removed from lorries in Cherbourg bound for Poole in 2003.

Des Browne: holding answer 5 May 2004
	The Home Office does not collate statistics of how many illegal immigrants were removed from lorries in Cherbourg bound for Poole in 2003. The Immigration Service tracks incidents of illegal clandestine entry into the United Kingdom and reviews the pressures at ports of departure in co-operation with the French authorities. Assessments, through the Cross-Channel Commission, have resulted in proposals to deploy new technology in partnership with the port authority in accordance with the convention on new technology signed by the two governments on 24 November 2003.

Asylum and Immigration

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what level of staffing of UK immigration officers in Cherbourg was provided in 2003.

Des Browne: holding answer 5 May 2004
	The exercise involved one Immigration Officer travelling daily to Cherbourg to provide advice and support to the carrier in respect of travel status of passengers prior to boarding in Cherbourg. The officer then returned with the inbound ferry to control passengers seeking leave to enter the United Kingdom during the crossing.

Afghan Refugees

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy is on the return of refugee women and children to Afghanistan from the UK.

Des Browne: The Government's preferred option for repatriating Afghan asylum applicants whose asylum claims have been rejected and appeal rights exhausted is assisted voluntary return, in line with the Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding on Voluntary Return between the UK, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Afghan Transitional Administration. When the Memorandum of Understanding was signed we agreed that we would not return family groups to Afghanistan before the summer of 2003. Although this general policy bar on enforcing the removal of families no longer applies, we are still not enforcing the departure of vulnerable groups, such as families with young children, or female heads of household.

Animal Experiments

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his Answer of 23 February 2004, Official Report, columns 228–29W, on Centre for the 3Rs, whether he has now received the final report of the Inter-Departmental Group for the 3Rs; and if he will make a statement on how he intends to proceed with the Select Committee's recommendation.

Caroline Flint: I have recently received the Inter-Departmental Group's final report on the recommendation of the House of Lords Select Committee on Animals in Scientific Procedures that a centre for research into the 3Rs—the replacement of animal use, reduction of the number of animals used and the refinement of the procedures involved to minimise suffering—should be set up and have discussed its findings with Ministerial colleagues. We expect to announce our conclusions in the next few weeks.

Asylum Detainees (Children)

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children are being held in detention solely under Immigration Act powers; and how many of these have been held for more than 28 days, broken down by removal centre.

Des Browne: Management information indicates that on the 26 January 2004 35 children were detained solely under Immigration Act powers. Three quarters of those had been in detention for 14 days or less and the remainder had been detained for less than four months. These individuals were all detained as part of families whose detention as a group was considered necessary.
	Information on the number of people detained solely under Immigration Act powers as at 27 March 2004 will be published on the Home Office website on 25 May: www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

Asylum Detainees (Children)

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children have been held in detention solely under Immigration Act powers since his announcement that children will not be detained for more than 28 days without ministerial consent; and how many of these have been held for more than 28 days, broken down by removal centre.

Des Browne: Information on the total number of children detained under Immigration Act powers since the announcement in October 2003 that children will not be detained for more than 28 days without ministerial consent is not available.
	Management information indicates that on the 26 January 2004 35 children were detained solely under Immigration Act powers. Three quarters of those had been in detention for 14 days or less and the remainder had been detained for less than four months. This includes children and infants who were detained as part of family group for very short periods pending removal.
	Information on the number of people detained solely under Immigration Act powers as at 27 March 2004 will be published on the Home Office website on 25 May: www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

Cannabis

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to re-examine the law on the (a) sale and (b) cultivation of cannabis seeds.

Caroline Flint: holding answer 5 May 2004
	None. The seeds are not controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 as they do not contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis.
	The cultivation of cannabis seeds, other than for purposes licensed by the Home Office, will remain illegal.

Clandestine Entrants

John Stanley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many clandestine entrants into the United Kingdom have been detected (a) on entry and (b) in the country in each month since December 2001.

Des Browne: Illegal entry action is initiated against those people who are detected having entered or attempting to enter the country clandestinely or by means of deception, either verbal or documentary.
	The available figures include those people who were identified as having entered the country clandestinely, they are not separately identifiable as such information would only be available by examination of individual case-files at disproportionate cost. A monthly breakdown of this figure is not available.
	48,050 people had illegal entry action initiated against them in 2002.
	Information on the number of people against whom illegal entry action was initiated in 2003 will be published later this year in the Home Office Statistical Bulletin "Control of Immigration: Statistics United Kingdom 2002" which can be found on the Home Office website: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton dated 18 March, with regard to Miss Z. Patel.

David Blunkett: I replied to my right hon. Friend on 29 April 2004.

Crime Statistics

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the percentage change in (a) domestic burglary, (b) juvenile anti-social behaviour, (c) arrests for violent crime, (d) incidents of violent crime, (e) road traffic collision involving fatality or serious injury, (f) domestic burglary per 1,000 households, (g) robberies per 1,000 population and (h) vehicle crimes per 1,000 population was between 2001–02 and 2002–03 for (i) division of the North Wales police and (ii) each local authority in North Wales.

Hazel Blears: The available statistics recorded by North Wales Police, are given as follows. Those figures derived from recorded crime statistics will have been affected by North Wales police adopting the principles of the National Crime Recording Standard in October 2001.
	Percentage changes between 2001–02 and 2002–03:
	Domestic burglary 1 increased by 34 per cent.
	Juvenile anti-social behaviour 2 remained level. Two Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) were issued in both 2001–02 and 2002–03.
	Arrests for violent crime 3 increased by 28 per cent.
	Violent crime1,4 increased by 53 per cent.
	Details on road traffic collisions involving fatality or serious injury, are not collected by the Home Office.
	Domestic burglaries per 1,000 households 1 increased by 31 per cent.
	Robberies per 1,000 population 1 increased by 15 per cent.
	Vehicle crimes per 1,000 population 1 increased by 5 per cent.
	1  The National Crime Recording Standard (NCRS) had the effect of increasing the number of crimes recorded by the police. Therefore, following the introduction of the Standard, numbers of recorded crimes, and figures derived from them, are not directly comparable with previous years.
	2  Figure based on number of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders, as reported to the Home Office, issued to juveniles (persons aged 10–17 years), within North Wales.
	3  Figure based on numbers of notifiable arrests made by North Wales Police.
	4  Violent crime comprises the offences of Violence against the person, Sexual offences and Robbery.
	Crime statistics are recorded at Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) level. CDRPs were set up under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and are broadly local authority areas. They include representatives from police, health, probation and other local agencies and provide strategies for reducing crime in the area. The available figures are given in the table.
	
		Percentage change between 2001–02 and 2002–03, by CDRPs in North Wales
		
			 CDRP Domestic burglary Violent crime 
		
		
			 Conwy -3 74 
			 Denbighshire 45 78 
			 Flintshire 37 29 
			 Gwynedd 47 41 
			 Isle of Anglesey 104 55 
			 Wrexham 42 53 
		
	
	See footnote 1 above.
	The number of ASBOs 1 which were issued to juveniles, by local authority area, for 2001–02 and 2002–03:
	
		
			 Local authority area 2001–02 2002–03 
		
		
			 Conwy 0 1 
			 Wrexham 2 1 
		
	
	(25) ASBOs are issued by the courts but can be applied for, among other authorities, the police.
	Figures on arrests are not collected by local authority area.
	More generally, the British Crime Survey (BCS), which asks members of the public about their experiences of crime, gives a more complete estimate of crime in England and Wales since it covers both unreported and unrecorded crime. It also gives a more reliable indication of trends in crime as BCS estimates are unaffected by changes in levels of reporting, or in police recording. Between 2001–02 and 2002–03 there was a decrease of 2 per cent. in crime as measured by the BCS.

Crime Statistics

Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what public funds were spent on tackling drugs misuse in Preston in (a) 1997–98 and (b) 2003–04.

Caroline Flint: Breakdown of financial allocation to local constituencies is not available to the Home Office. Funding is allocated to Drug Action Team (DAT) areas, in this case Lancashire DAT.
	In 1997–98 (pre-dating National Drugs Strategy) funding available to Lancashire DAT area totalled £670,000.
	In 2003–04 the total drugs allocation for Lancashire was £6,015,000. In order to ensure consistency figures supplied are based on funding streams associated with the National Drug Strategy and are readily verifiable. These funding streams are specifically targeted at tackling the harm caused to individuals, families and communities by the misuse of drugs. Other mainstream funding is made available at a local level, this varies and both in amount and origin as a result it is not possible to provide robust financial information.
	
		2003–04
		
			  Amount (£) 
		
		
			 Partnership Capacity 118,000 
			 Treatment Pooled Budget 3,980,000 
			 Through Care After Care Pump Priming 35,000 
			 Building Safer Communities(26) 1,147,000 
			 Young People 735,000 
			 Total 6,015,000 
		
	
	(26) Contains non-drug elements.

Crime Statistics

Neil Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for the   Home Department what powers preventing racial harassment have been introduced since 1997; and how many times these powers have been used in Wigan.

Fiona Mactaggart: The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 created new and separate offences where the offences of causing fear and violence or of causing harassment, alarm or distress under the Public Order Act 1986, or the offences of harassment or putting in fear of violence under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 were racially aggravated.
	Figures for the number of prosecutions in Wigan for this type of offence are not centrally available. Over the   period 1999–2000 to 2001–02 Greater Manchester police recorded a total of 2,075 harassment offences.
	Prior to 1997 the Race Relations Act (RRA) 1976 already prohibited discrimination on racial grounds. The RRA did not specifically refer to harassment, but it was clear from case law that racial harassment was a type of detriment capable of amounting to the kind of less favourable treatment prohibited by the Act.
	As part of its fulfilment of its obligations under the EC Race Directive the UK amended the Race Relations Act 1976 (by virtue of the Race Relations Act 1976 (Amendment) Regulations 2003) so as to make it unlawful to harass a person, on grounds of race or ethnic or national origins, in the areas of activity covered by the 1976 Act.

Crime Statistics

Neil Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what public funds were spent on tackling drug misuse in Wigan in (a) 1997–98 and (b) 2003–04.

Caroline Flint: The period 1997–98 pre-dates National Drug Strategy, during this time the local council and primary care trust allocated funding for tackling drug misuse. Accounting procedures mean that the 1997 figures are no longer available and that 1998 figures are not accessible by the DAT.
	In 2003–04 the total drugs allocation was £2,187,607. In order to ensure consistency figures supplied are based on funding streams associated with the National Drug Strategy and are readily verifiable. These funding streams are specifically targeted at tackling the harm caused to individuals, families and communities by the misuse of drugs. Other mainstream funding is made available at a local level, this varies and both in amount and origin as a result it is not possible to provide robust financial information.
	
		2003–04
		
			  £ 
		
		
			 Partnership Capacity 72,429 
			 Treatment Pooled Budget 1,455,000 
			 Through Care After Care Pump Priming 35,000 
			 Building Safer Communities(27) 410,404 
			 Young people 214,774 
			 Total 2,187,607 
		
	
	(27) Contains non-drug elements.

Criminal Justice Act

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when part 10 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 will be brought into force.

David Blunkett: We are working towards implementation of the retrial provisions contained in part 10 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 and will bring this part of the Act into force as soon as practicable.

Criminal Justice Act

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when section 114 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 will be brought into force.

Paul Goggins: No final decision has yet been made but the current aim is to bring the hearsay provisions in the Criminal Justice Act 2003 into force as soon as possible.

Custodial Sentences (Wolverhampton)

Rob Marris: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of those convicted in 2003 by courts in Wolverhampton for offences of failing to have valid (a) vehicle excise discs, (b) vehicle insurance and (c) MOT certificates received custodial sentences.

Caroline Flint: None: these offences are not imprisonable.

Departmental Communications

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much his Department spent on (a) internal communications and (b) advertising internal initiatives in each of the last five years.

Fiona Mactaggart: The information is as follows:
	(a) The Home Office is a large organisation with inter-related aims so it is important that the 73,000 staff throughout the department and its agencies understand how the work that they do fits together to deliver the departmental outcomes. The department achieves this through the production of a range of services and publications. Examples are Home Office Today—a daily on-line news service for staff, and Inside Track the corporate staff magazine. In addition each agency keeps its own staff informed of internal activities through agency publications. Together the Department and its agencies spent the following sums on internal communications staffing and products:
	
		
			  £ 
		
		
			 2001–02 3,670,000 
			 2002–03 4,080,000 
			 2003–04 4,180,000 
		
	
	Note:
	Figures for previous years can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	(b) The figures in (a) above include the cost of advertising internal initiatives to Home Office staff and cannot be separately identified.

Documentation (Arrivals)

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to ensure that inadequately documented passengers arriving in the UK are intercepted.

Des Browne: Measures to intercept passengers with inadequate documents on their arrival in the UK include risk-assessing all incoming flights, conducting intelligence-led document checks, observing passengers as they disembark from aircraft and planned special exercises sometimes involving other agencies and at certain locations using CCTV.
	At the main arrivals control, passengers are interviewed and their documents examined to detect impostors and to identify forged or counterfeit passports or passengers without the requisite entry clearance.
	In addition we have strategies in place to prevent passengers with inadequate documents arriving in the UK. These include the use of pre-entry controls in France (Juxtaposed controls), new detection technology screening equipment to detect clandestine entrants and Airline Liaison Officers (ALOs) who offer advice to airlines on the validity of travel documents held by passengers.
	The Government are currently legislating to make disposing of travel documents without reasonable excuse a criminal offence. In addition a pilot is planned for airlines to scan travel documents at points abroad and supply copies to the UK Immigration Service. This will deter those who might otherwise destroy their documents en route.

Documentation (Arrivals)

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether surveillance techniques have been extended to airports other than Heathrow, to ensure that inadequately documented passengers are intercepted.

Des Browne: Surveillance techniques to ensure that inadequately documented passengers are identified and intercepted are already in use at major airports other than Heathrow. The UK Immigration Service has the ability to employ CCTV and/or overt surveillance in order to identify and intercept such passengers.
	Smaller airports where these methods are not routinely employed are subject to regular risk assessment, monitoring and special exercises with Customs and other agencies. Resources are deployed to identify and intercept inadequately documented passengers on an intelligence led basis.

Drink Driving

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons were sentenced in England and Wales for driving with excess alcohol, excluding those causing death or serious injury, in each of the last 10 years; how many of those received a custodial sentence; and what the average custodial sentence length was.

Paul Goggins: The available information is contained in the table and relates to persons sentenced for offences of driving etc after consuming alcohol or taking drugs.
	It is not possible in the statistics collected centrally to exclude those offences where serious injury is caused, but the figures exclude persons sentenced for the specific offence of 'causing death by careless driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs'.
	
		Number of persons(28) sentenced at all courts for offences relating to driving etc after consuming alcohol or taking drugs, those sentenced to custody and the average custodial sentence length, England and Wales 1993—2002 Driving etc after consuming alcohol or taking drugs
		
			  Driving etc after consuming alcohol or taking drugs 
		
		
			 1993  
			 Total sentenced 80,926 
			 Custodial sentence 2.575 
			 Average sentence length (months) 3.1 
			   
			 1994  
			 Total sentenced 78.038 
			 Custodial sentence 3.243 
			 Average sentence length (months) 3.2 
			   
			 1995  
			 Total sentenced 81.474 
			 Custodial sentence 3,443 
			 Average sentence length (months) 3.1 
			   
			 1996  
			 Total sentenced 85.010 
			 Custodial sentence 3,529 
			 Average sentence length (months) 3.1 
			 1997  
			 Total sentenced 89.271 
			 Custodial sentence 4,065 
			 Average sentence length (months) 3.0 
			   
			 1998  
			 Total sentenced 83.092 
			 Custodial sentence 3.754 
			 Average sentence length (months) 3.0 
			   
			 1999  
			 Total sentenced 79.524 
			 Custodial sentence 3.653 
			 Average sentence length (months) 3.0 
			   
			 2000  
			 Total sentenced 76.779 
			 Custodial sentence 3.465 
			 Average sentence length (months) 3.1 
			   
			 2001  
			 Total sentenced 76.113 
			 Custodial sentence 3.475 
			 Average sentence length (months) 3.0 
			   
			 2002  
			 Total sentenced 81.444 
			 Custodial sentence 3,290 
			 Average sentence length (months) 3.2 
		
	
	Statistics on court proceedings for 2003 will be published in the autumn.

Drugs

Michael Clapham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what collaborative endeavours there are with other Governments to stifle the synthetic supply of drugs.

Caroline Flint: The United Kingdom Government have signed and ratified the United Nations 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, which establishes an international control system for such substances, including a number of synthetic drugs. It has also signed and ratified the United Nations 1988 Convention against the Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, which provides comprehensive measures against drug trafficking and the diversion of precursor chemicals of synthetic drugs.
	UK law enforcement agencies have well-established bi-lateral links with their opposite numbers overseas, and share both strategic and tactical intelligence on synthetic drugs and their precursor chemicals on a regular basis.
	They also participate in a range of multi-lateral, operationally focused intelligence work, including, for example:
	participation in and follow-up to Europol initiatives on amphetamine profiling, illicit laboratory comparison, and pill logo comparison;
	training, through the European Union PHARE Project to aid the EU accession states in combating the illicit trade in precursor chemicals and synthetic drugs;
	leading a European Joint Unit on Precursors which co-ordinates EU member state activity in relation to illicit precursor chemicals trade;
	acting as joint chair to a major UN initiative to stifle the supply of precursor chemicals used in the production of amphetamine type stimulants.

Employment Agencies

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the employment agencies which his Department has used to supply temporary staff in each financial year since 1996–97 to the most recent date for which figures are available.

Fiona Mactaggart: The requirements for temporary staff are at Directorate level in the Core Home Office and the relevant supplier then used in each financial year are in the table.
	Accountancy Personnel
	Adecco
	Allegis Group
	Anderson Sign Language
	Ann Pettengell Gold Helm Ltd.
	Badenoch & Clark
	Brook Street (UK) Ltd.
	Cameron Kennedy Resources Ltd.
	Capita Business Services Ltd.
	Carlisle Facilities Servs Ltd.
	Carlisle Group Staffing Service
	Catherine Johnstone Recruitment
	Centre for Dispute Resolution
	Cgms Consulting
	Chubb Security Personnel Ltd.
	Computer People Ltd.
	Crown Personnel Plc
	Crown Protection Services UK
	Dbi Consulting
	Employment Plus Ltd.
	Excel Recruitment Ltd.
	First Recruitment Services Ltd
	Grafton Recruitment
	Hays Accountancy Personnel
	Headstart Employment Ltd.
	Hto Consulting
	Hudson Global Resources Ltd
	Huntress Recruitment Specialist
	Ibnix Ltd.
	Icts (UK) Ltd.
	Impact Executives Ltd.
	Josephine Sammons Ltd.
	K International Plc
	Kpmg Fees Account
	Logicacmg
	Lorien Consulting
	Mailsource UK Ltd.
	Manpower Plc
	Method Application Ltd.
	Michael Canham & Associates Lt
	Michael Page International
	New Appointments Group
	Nicholas Andrews & Temps Finance
	Office Angels Ltd.
	Pa Consulting Services Ltd.
	Pcl Security Ltd
	Pegasus Security Group Ltd
	Pertemps
	Prc Employment
	Purcon Consultants Ltd.
	Reed Information Services Ltd.
	Reed Personnel Services
	Reed Solutions Plc
	Sabrewatch Ltd.
	Securicor Security Ltd.
	Select Appointments Plc
	Symbia
	Tangent International Ltd.
	The Synergy Group Ltd.
	Tmp Worldwide Ltd.
	Trowers & Hamlins
	Turner & Townsend
	Wackenhut UK Ltd.
	Watts & Partners
	Wt Partnership
	
		Suppliers used
		
			 Customer name 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 
		
		
			 Accountancy Personnel Yes — — — — — Yes Yes 
			 Hays Accountancy Personnel — Yes — Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 
			 Adecco Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 
			 Adecco UK Limited — — — — — — — — 
			 Adecco UK Ltd. — Yes Yes — — Yes — Yes 
			 Allegis Group — — Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 
			 Anderson Sign Language — — — — — Yes — Yes 
			 Anderson Sign Language Consult — — — — — Yes — — 
			 Ann Pettengell Gold Helm Ltd. — — — Yes — Yes Yes Yes 
			 Badenoch & Clark Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 
			 Brook Street (UK) Ltd. Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 
			 Cameron Kennedy Resources Ltd. — — — — — — Yes Yes 
			 Capita Business Services Ltd. — — Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 
			 Carlisle Facilities Servs Ltd. — — — — — — Yes — 
			 Carlisle Group Staffing Service — — — — — — Yes Yes 
			 Carlisle Group Staffing Service — — — — — — Yes Yes 
			 Catherine Johnstone Recruitment — — — — — — Yes Yes 
			 Centre For Dispute Resolution — — — — — — Yes — 
			 Cgms Consulting — — Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 
			 Chubb Security Personnel Ltd. — — — — — — Yes Yes 
			 Computer People Ltd. — — Yes Yes Yes — Yes Yes 
			 Crown Personnel Plc — — — — — Yes Yes Yes 
			 Crown Protection Services UK — — — Yes Yes Yes Yes — 
			 Dbi Consulting Yes — — Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 
			 Employment Plus Ltd. — — — — — Yes Yes Yes 
			 Excel Recruitment Ltd. Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 
			 First Recruitment Services Ltd. — — — — Yes Yes Yes Yes 
			 Grafton Recruitment — — — — — Yes — Yes 
			 Headstart Employment Ltd. — — — — Yes Yes Yes Yes 
			 Hto Consulting — — — — — — Yes Yes 
			 Hudson Global Resources Ltd. — — — — — — Yes Yes 
			 Huntress Recruitment Specialist — — — — — Yes Yes Yes 
			 Ibnix Ltd. — — Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 
			 Icts (UK) Ltd. — — — — — — — Yes 
			 Impact Executives Ltd. — — — — — — — Yes 
			 Josephine Sammons Ltd. Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes — Yes 
			 K International Plc Yes — — — Yes Yes Yes — 
			 Kpmg Consulting — — — — Yes Yes Yes Yes 
			 Kpmg Fees Account — — Yes Yes — — Yes Yes 
			 Logicacmg — — — — — Yes — Yes 
			 Lorien Consulting — — — — Yes Yes Yes Yes 
			 Mailsource UK Ltd. — — — — — — — Yes 
			 Manpower Plc Yes — Yes — Yes Yes Yes Yes 
			 Method Application Ltd. — — — — Yes Yes Yes Yes 
			 Michael Canham & Associates Ltd. — — — — — Yes Yes Yes 
			 Michael Page International — — — — — — — Yes 
			 New Appointments Group — — — — — Yes Yes Yes 
			 Nicholas Andrews & Temps Finance — — — — — — Yes Yes 
			 Office Angels Ltd. Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 
			 Pa Consulting Services Ltd. Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 
			 Pcl Security Ltd. — — — — — — — Yes 
			 Pegasus Security Group Ltd. — — Yes — — Yes — Yes 
			 Pertemps — Yes — — Yes Yes Yes Yes 
			 Prc Employment — — — — Yes Yes Yes Yes 
			 Purcon Consultants Ltd. Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 
			 Reed Information Services Ltd. — — — — — — — Yes 
			 Reed Personnel Services Plc — — — — — — — Yes 
			 Reed Solutions Plc — — Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 
			 Sabrewatch Ltd. — — — — — Yes Yes Yes 
			 Securicor Security Ltd. — — — — — — — Yes 
			 Select Appointments Plc Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 
			 Symbia — — — — Yes Yes Yes Yes 
			 Tangent International Ltd. — — — — — Yes Yes Yes 
			 The Synergy Group Ltd. — — — — —  Yes Yes 
			 Tmp Worldwide — — — — — Yes  Yes 
			 Tmp Worldwide Ltd. — — — — — Yes Yes Yes 
			 Trowers & Hamlins — — — — — Yes Yes Yes 
			 Turner & Townsend — — — — Yes Yes Yes Yes 
			 Wackenhut UK Ltd. — Yes Yes — — — Yes Yes 
			 Watts & Partners Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 
			 Wt Partnership — — — — — — Yes Yes

EU Accession States

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements he is making to   release, without prejudice to any outstanding application to be allowed to remain in the country, documents held by the UK authorities which are required by individuals from EU accession countries to facilitate their search for work in this country; what the timescale is for the release of such documents; whether such individuals will be able to register on the Workers Registration Scheme while they are seeking work; whether they can utilise the services of Jobcentres; what implications the arrangements for those from new EU member states seeking work in the UK have for (a) their right to remain in the UK and (b) National Asylum Support Service or local authority support, with particular reference to their accommodation and its cost; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: Documents held by the Immigration and Nationality Directorate will be returned to EU accession state nationals as soon as is practicable.
	Individuals from the eight Accession States will only be able to register under the Worker Registration Scheme when they are in employment. They should apply to register as soon as they start work and within one month at the latest. They will be able to utilise Jobcentres to enable them to find employment.
	Nationals of Cyprus and Malta will have a right of residence in the UK for up to six months on the basis that they are job seekers. Nationals of the remaining eight accession states will be able to remain in the UK while they seek work, provided that they are self-sufficient.
	Nationals of the European Economic Area are not eligible for support from the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) or from local authorities under the Asylum Support (Interim Provisions) Regulations 2000. Those who were supported by NASS or their local authority can find work and register, seek support from friends or relatives or leave the UK. Individuals have had advance warning of the fact that they are no longer eligible for support but if they cannot avail themselves of these options without a violation of their Convention rights, they can approach NASS or their local authority to explain why. NASS will consider such representations from such individuals and will consider offering temporary support until that assessment is concluded. NASS have asked local authorities to consider matters relating to Interim Provisions cases in a similar manner and will consider reimbursing costs of continuing support for the short period of time it will take to make an assessment.

European Communities Association Agreement

David Heathcoat-Amory: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the statement by the Minister for Citizenship and Immigration of 8 March 2004, Official Report, columns 1245–52W, on the European Communities Association Agreement, if he will issue amended immigration statistics for the relevant period and categories.

Des Browne: Statistics on European Communities Association Agreement (ECAA) are management information collected by The Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND).
	Statistics on the Control of Immigration produced by the Research and Statistics Directorate of the Home Office are part of the National Statistics, and are covered by the National Statistics Code of Practice. This means they are free from political interference and are produced to high professional principles and standards.
	There are no plans to issue any corrections to these statistics arising from the statement on the European Communities Association Agreement, as management information on the ECAA are not included in the Control of Immigration Statistics.

European Communities Association Agreement

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the   Home Department whether Ministers in his Department were informed of the letter from John Ramsden to Chris Mace, of 5 November 2002, regarding the operation of the European Communities Association Agreement scheme.

Des Browne: This matter is covered by the investigation which Mr. Ken Sutton is undertaking of the operation of the European Community Association Agreement scheme for Bulgaria and Romania. I do not wish to pre-empt the investigation by commenting on the issues before it is completed.

Female Prisons

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average female prison population was; and how many female prisons or prison units there were, in each of the last 10 years.

Paul Goggins: The average female prison population and the number of prisons with female units in each of the last 10 years is given in the table.
	
		Average female prison population and number of England and Wales
		
			  Average female prisons Prisons with female units 
		
		
			 1994 1,810 12 
			 1995 1,979 14 
			 1996 2,262 17 
			 1997 2,675 16 
			 1998 3,105 17 
			 1999 3,247 17 
			 2000 3,350 16 
			 2001 3,741 18 
			 2002 4,298 19 
			 2003 4,425 19

Identity Cards

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home   Department what contribution identity cards are intended to make to combating terrorism.

Des Browne: We know that about 35 per cent. of terrorists use false or multiple identities. An identity cards scheme which made it far more difficult to establish multiple identities would help to disrupt terrorist support networks.
	As the Home Secretary has always made clear—going back to 2001—an identity card scheme would not guarantee to protect the UK against a terrorist attack. However, the Government have a duty to take all reasonable measures which will contribute to preventing and disrupting terrorist activity.

Identity Cards

Richard Allan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to complete the Gateway Review Stage for the National Identity Cards Programme; and if he will publish the outcome of that review.

Des Browne: Legislation on Identity Cards—A Consultation (CM 6178) explains that the Identity Cards Programme will be subject to continuing external review by the Office of Government Commerce Gateway process. A Gateway 0 review of the Programme took place in January 2004 which concluded that it was ready to proceed to the next stage. Subsequent Gateway reviews of the Programme will take place throughout its development and implementation. In line with the usual practice, the reports from these Gateway Reviews are not published.

Identity Cards

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what occasion and how frequently identity cards under the Draft Identity Cards Bill would need to be renewed.

Des Browne: ID cards will have a limited validity, this power is provided for in the draft Identity Cards Bill. At present passports and driving licences are valid for 10 years and the cost estimates for the identity cards scheme are based on fees for cards covering a 10 year period.
	However, in advance of it being a requirement to register, there will be no compulsion to renew an identity card. Only when it is a requirement to register will there be a requirement on individuals, whose card will expire in a prescribed period or whose card is not valid, to apply for an ID card within a prescribed period. Different validity periods will apply in different cases, for example the validity of cards issued to foreign nationals will be linked to the length of their entitlement to stay in the country. Validity periods will require the approval of Parliament.

Identity Cards

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the draft regulations under the Draft Identity Cards Bill that will be published in time for pre-legislative scrutiny at the same time as the Bill.

Des Browne: The Legislation on Identity Cards Consultation paper (Cm 6178) makes clear that the draft Identity Cards Bill is an enabling measure and that detailed provisions will be set out later in regulations, relating for example to the level of fees or the application process. Regulations will not, therefore, be published during the consultation period on the draft Bill but will be determined as the identity cards programme proceeds.

Identity Cards

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home   Department if he will list the Government databases that will be linked to the National Identity Register under proposals in the Draft Identity Cards Bill.

Des Browne: There are no provisions in the draft   Identity Cards Bill, which establish a direct link between the National Identity Register and any other Government database.
	However, applications for one of the family of identity cards will require checks to be made against other databases, including those of public sector bodies. The data-sharing gateways established for this purpose will be used only when processing applications for cards or related purposes to ensure that the person, who applies to register and to be issued with an identity card, is the person he or she claims to be. Under the draft Bill, Parliament would have to approve each such "gateway" via an affirmative order where no powers already exist for the sharing of data in this way.

Identity Cards

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidelines he will issue on police use of finger-print information held on the National Identity Register proposed in the draft Identity Card Bill.

Des Browne: Disclosure of information from the National Identity Register without the individual's consent may be made to the police only in the specified circumstances set out in Clause 20(3) of the draft Bill. This is subject to certain rules, including that information will only be disclosed if the Secretary of State is satisfied that it was not reasonably practicable for the police to have obtained the information by another means. For example, if fingerprint information is recorded on the register, the police would first have to search their own fingerprint records before resorting to the register. I will consider the need for further guidance on this subject nearer to the time of the introduction of the identity cards scheme.

Identity Cards

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for   the Home Department which bodies will have access to all the data stored on the National Identity Register.

Des Browne: Proposals to permit information held on the National Identity Register to be disclosed without an individual's consent are set out in "Legislation on Identity Cards: A Consultation" (CM6178) published on 26 April.
	It is incorrect to say that any body or person will have "access" to the register, rather the legislation will permit the Secretary of Sate to disclose information where a person consents or, where a person does not consent, only for specified purposes to specified persons.
	There will be an exception to the general bar on disclosing information without consent, but disclosure will only be allowed to specified persons for specified purposes approved by Parliament and will be subject to an internal authorisation and independent oversight procedure.
	There will be a general power to disclose information to the security and intelligence agencies for their statutory purposes under clause 20.
	In addition, law enforcement agencies will be able to seek disclosure of information from the National Identity Register for the prevention or investigation of crime under clause 20 (3). For these groups, disclosure of "audit trails" of card usage would be permitted only in cases of serious crime under clause 20 (8). The police in Scotland will have similar powers but will only be permitted to apply for disclosure in relation to matters that are reserved under clause 20 (7)(b) .

Identity Cards

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how individuals will gain access to relevant services if their identity card is lost or stolen.

Des Browne: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer my right hon. Friend the Member for Stretford and Urmston (Beverley Hughes) gave to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, West (John Barrett) on 9 February 2004, Official Report, column 1261W. My right hon. Friend said that an identity card, although very helpful to public services as a reliable means of proving identity, would not become mandatory for free public services and benefits until a specific further parliamentary decision on a move to compulsion. Where the identity card is used to access public services we will want to ensure that procedures are in place to help those whose card has been lost or stolen, especially in cases of emergency.

Identity Cards

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what communication strategy has been developed to ensure engagement with the public on the subject of identity cards.

Des Browne: The communication strategy on identity cards includes the following elements to ensure engagement with the public:
	Quantitative and qualitative research was undertaken with the general public during the first consultation period. The findings are set out in "Identity Cards: A summary of Findings from the Consultation Exercise on Entitlement Cards and Identity Fraud" (CM6019). Further quantitative and qualitative research among the general will be undertaken during the current consultation period.
	It is important that members of the public are able easily and quickly to obtain information about identity cards from a dedicated UK Government website. Therefore a new website domain has been registered (www.identitycards.gov.uk) and a new website created that contains official publications about identity cards. This will be updated with additional information as the national identity cards scheme progresses. Currently, there is a section about the consultation which invites individuals to comment on the draft legislation through a dedicated e-mail address.
	Media handling strategies have been developed to make the best use of press and broadcast opportunities for engaging with the general public about identity cards.
	The 'essential information' leaflet which is sent out with all new passports has been updated by the UK Passport Service to confirm that, subject to legislation, the passport will become part of a future family of national identity cards.
	A public awareness campaign will be developed to support the roll out of the first identity cards from 2007–08.

Identity Cards

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to pilot data sharing powers in advance of the introduction of identity cards.

Des Browne: "Identity Cards: The Next Steps" (CM 6020) published in November 2003 made it clear that applications for one of the family of identity cards will require checks to be made against other databases, held by the public or private sector, in order to help establish that an application for a card is genuine. This followed recommendations on identity verification included in the Cabinet Office study on Identity Fraud, published in July 2002.
	The data-sharing gateways which may be approved by Parliament in clause 11 of the draft Identity Cards Bill will only be used when processing applications for an identity card or for related purposes (for example, issuing a replacement) to ensure that the person who applies to register is the person he or she claims to be. These powers do not confer any general right to share data for wider purposes.
	In order to allow for testing of the identity cards scheme in advance of the first cards being issued, these data sharing powers could be piloted but it is not possible to give further detail at this stage as detailed work on implementation of an identity cards scheme is not at the stage where we can be definitive about these timings. Use of the powers on a pilot basis would require Parliament's consent.

Identity Cards

Alan Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to procure (a) ID cards and (b) ID card technology from firms within the UK.

Des Browne: Government policy requires that all procurement must be transparent and non-discriminatory, and that contracts must be awarded on a value-for-money basis. Any requirement for services or goods above certain value thresholds, which will include those in support of the identity cards programme, must be advertised across the European Union.
	We have been discussing technical options with Intellect, the UK information technology, telecommunications and electronics industry trade body, for the past two years. We hope that UK industry will rise to the challenge and opportunity that the identity cards programme brings.

Identity Cards

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what biometric information he intends to store on (a) passports and (b) driving licences; and what databases will be established to store such information centrally.

Des Browne: The United Kingdom Passport Service is planning to implement the facial recognition image biometric in the British Passport book from 2005. This facial biometric will be stored on the passport database. There are as yet no firm plans for driving licences to include biometric information although the driving licence database already stores digital photographs.
	The passport and driving licence may be designated as   ID cards under the draft Identity Cards Bill. In which case these documents may include additional biometrics, which would be stored on the new National Identity Register. However, no final decisions have yet been taken on which biometric or biometrics the identity cards scheme will use. The draft Identity Cards Bill allows for fingerprints and other forms of biometric information such as iris images to be recorded.

Identity Cards

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether an individual will have the right to see all the information contained on his or her entry in the National Identity Register under proposals in the draft Identity Cards Bill.

Des Browne: Clause 3 (1) of the draft Identity Cards Bill published on 26 April sets clear limits for the information that could be held on the National Identity Register. Schedule 1 lists the categories of information that may be held on the Register.
	Individuals registered on the identity cards scheme would have subject access rights under the Data Protection Act 1998. In addition the Government will investigate whether it would be possible for a cardholder to use his card securely to access his own record to avoid the usual authorisation process and cost involved in applying for subject access. The Government will have to be satisfied that this could be achieved without compromising personal information, for example that another person could not use a stolen card to view another person's record on the National Identity Register.
	Clause 14 (4) excludes information held in Schedule 1, paragraph 9 (records relating to disclosure of an entry) from being disclosed unless the Secretary of State deems it appropriate.

Immigration and Nationality Directorate

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many full-time equivalent staff were employed in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate in each year since 1997; and what the total payroll costs were.

Des Browne: The table shows the full-time equivalent of staff employed in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate in each year since 1997 and pay costs for the same period.
	
		
			  Staffing numbers Total pay costs 
		
		
			 1997–98 5,372 136,784,988 
			 1998–99 (28)4,705 134,391,253 
			 1999–2000 (28)5,976 145,498,131 
			 2000–01 7,523 193,600,000 
			 2001–02 9,640 272,484,211 
			 2002–03 11,186 337,121,813 
			 2003–04 13,716 (29)— 
		
	
	(28) Year end figure.
	(29) Pay costs for 2003–04 have not yet been finalised.

Immigration and Nationality Directorate

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons applications under the European Communities Association Agreements are now sent directly to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate rather than via local embassies.

Des Browne: This matter is covered by the investigation which Mr. Ken Sutton is undertaking of the operation of the European Communities Association Agreements (ECAA) scheme for Bulgaria and Romania. I do not wish to pre-empt the investigation by commenting on the issues before it is completed.

Immigration Appeals

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what have been the legal costs, to date, of representing the Government (a) before the Special Immigration Appeals Commission in connection with (i) proceedings under the Anti-Terrorism Crime and Security Act 2001 and (ii) in respect of removal of nationality under the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 and (b) in any subsequent appeals; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: A total of £1,287,414.42 has been spent on representing the Government in proceedings under the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 and £35,038.71 in proceedings relating to the deprivation of nationality under the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002. These costs include both Counsels' and the Treasury Solicitor's fees.

Immigration Appeals

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the right of appeal by the Home Secretary against decisions by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission in cases involving national security.

Des Browne: holding answer 30 April 2004
	This is a matter which is kept under review. We introduced an amendment to the Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants etc) Bill during Lords' Committee Stage, which creates a right of appeal on a point of law in respect of bail decisions by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) in cases involving a person detained under the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001. This mirrors the existing right of appeal in respect of SIAC determinations where a person has appealed against the decision to certify them as a suspected international terrorist.

Immigration Appeals

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to amend his powers to remove nationality and indefinite leave to remain to ensure that action can be taken without undue delay caused by the appeal process.

Des Browne: holding answer 30 April 2004
	Experience so far does not suggest that it is the appeals process itself which causes delay. I am reviewing the situation to see what lessons we can learn and how we might speed up the holding of appeals. I have no current plans to amend the legislation.

Immigration Minister

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he was first informed of the issues raised in the letter of 4 March 2003 from the hon. Member for Coventry, North-East to the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship.

Des Browne: This matter is covered by the investigation which Mr. Ken Sutton is undertaking of the operation of the European Communities Association Agreements (ECAA) scheme for Bulgaria and Romania. I do not wish to pre-empt the investigation by commenting on the issues before it is completed.

Immigration Summit

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the persons and organisations invited to his Immigration Summit.

Des Browne: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 29 April 2004, Official Report, columns 1224–25W.

Iraqi Asylum Seekers

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has had from (a) the United Nations and (b) other international organisations over the consequences of returning Iraqi asylum seekers in the UK to Iraq; what his response has been; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: We keep in close contact with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other relevant organisations. We agree with UNHCR's view that voluntary return is preferable to enforced return, but believe that enforced return to stable areas of Iraq is justifiable.
	We are currently facilitating the return of those who wish to go home through the International Organisation for Migration. We have also reached an agreement with the Coalition Provisional Authority to begin enforced returns to Iraq. We are working to finalise the practicalities of the enforced returns programme, which we will implement as soon as the necessary arrangements are in place.
	There is clearly a difficult position in those parts of Iraq most affected by insurgencies, but we do not accept this is the case in all areas. Returns will be taken forward on a case by case basis and we will only return to particular areas assessed as sufficiently stable, where we are satisfied that the individual concerned will not be at risk. The situation is kept under constant review and we are still working with the coalition authorities, to return those who are not at risk of persecution and do not need humanitarian protection.

New Workers Registration Scheme

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  who will operate the New Workers Registration Scheme;
	(2)  what (a) budgetary and (b) staffing resources are to be allocated to the New Workers Registration Scheme;
	(3)  when the New Workers Registration Scheme will commence operations;
	(4)  what target is to be set concerning the average timefor the processing of work registration applications;
	(5)  whether specific arrangements are to be made for   Scotland under the New Workers Registration Scheme.

Des Browne: holding answer 15 March 2004
	The Worker Registration Scheme, announced by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary in his statement to the   House on 23 February 2004, Official Report, columns 23–25, will be administered by the Home Office through its Work Permits (UK) operation in Sheffield. A dedicated team of 42 staff is being deployed initially to administer the scheme, the resources for which will form part of the WP (UK) budget for 2004–05.
	The Worker Registration Scheme has been operational since 1 May and applications have been accepted from this date onwards. Further guidance for   applicants, including the application form and guidance, are available on the "Working in the UK" website (www.workingintheuk.gov.uk).
	My hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, the Member for Slough (Fiona Mactaggart) indicated to the House on 2 March 2004, Official Report, columns 877–80, that the Worker Registration Team will aim to process 80 per cent. of applications within 24 hours of receipt, following payment clearance. Incomplete applications will take longer to process.
	Citizens of the new member states (with the exception of Malta and Cyprus) who take up employment in Scotland will need to apply to register with the Home Office when they start a job, in the same way as those taking up employment in the rest of the UK. Employers in Scotland will be required to satisfy themselves that accession country nationals in their employment have received registration under the scheme.

North London Mosque

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for the   Home Department what support the Charity Commissioners propose to offer to the trustees of the North London Mosque to ensure that it operates within the law on its re-opening; and if he will make a statement.

Fiona Mactaggart: This is a matter for the Charity Commission as the Government Department responsible for the regulation of charities in England and Wales. The Director of Operations of the Charity Commission will write to the hon. Member and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.

Offender Management

Ross Cranston: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the post of (a) Head of Human Relations and (b) Head of Standards in the National Offender Management Service will be advertised.

Fiona Mactaggart: The Home Office uses external recruitment when there is a shortage of the necessary skills and knowledge to fill the vacancy. These posts will not be advertised. They are being filled by existing Home Office staff on level transfer and on their existing salaries.

Offender Management

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how he will ensure that the National Offender Management Service reduces the prison population.

Paul Goggins: The National Offender Management Service will ensure the more effective management of offenders as well as better targeting and co-ordination of custodial and community sentences. As a result we intend to maintain the prison population at a stable level of around 80,000 by 2009. Without these reforms, the latest estimates indicate that the prison population may otherwise increase to 93,000 by that date.

Open Prisons

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the occupancy rate was for open prisons in each of the last 10 years.

Paul Goggins: The average population, average certified normal accommodation and occupancy rate of open prisons in each of the last 10 years is given in the table.
	
		Average population of open prisons and average C.N.A. England and Wales, 30June
		
			  Average population Average C.A.N. Occupancy rate (percentage) 
		
		
			 1994 4,205 4,829 87.1 
			 1995 3,948 4,666 84.6 
			 1996 4,408 4,884 90.3 
			 1997 4,765 5,112 93.2 
			 1998 4,650 5,082 91.5 
			 1999 4,155 5,089 81.6 
			 2000 3,969 4,813 82.5 
			 2001 3,910 4,592 85.1 
			 2002 4,431 4,852 91.3 
			 2003 4,812 5,302 90.8

Open Prisons

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what percentage of prisoners serving (a) under 12 months, (b) 12 months to under four years and (c) four years or over completed part or all of their sentence in an open prison in each of the last 10 years.

Paul Goggins: Information on the number of prisoners serving (a) under 12 months, (b) 12 months to under four years and (c) four years or over who completed part or all of their sentence in an open prison is not available.
	The number of prisoners serving sentences in the relevant bands in an open prison on 30 June in each of the last 10 years is given in the table.
	
		Population under sentence of open prisons—England and Wales
		
			 As at 30 June Less than 12 months Percentage 12 months to less than or equal to four years Percentage 4 years and over Percentage 
		
		
			 1994 2,017 48.4 1,261 30.3 887 21.3 
			 1995 1,489 36.2 1,697 413 922 22.4 
			 1996 1,244 28.3 2,150 48.9 1,000 22.8 
			 1997 1,279 26.9 2,388 50.2 1,086 22.8 
			 1998 1,125 24.2 2,263 48.7 1,256 27.0 
			 1999 732 77.7 1,884 45.4 1,530 36.9 
			 2000 635 16.0 1,755 44.3 1,569 39.6 
			 2001 586 15.0 1,730 44.4 1,583 40.6 
			 2002 625 15.0 1,728 41.4 1,823 43.7 
			 2003 624 13.0 1,790 37.3 2,382 49.7

Parliamentary Questions

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the questions tabled by the hon. Member for Woking on 10 March 2004, refs (a) 161619 and (b) 161620.

Des Browne: holding answer 29 March 2004
	I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 28 April 2004, Official Report, columns 1097W and 1102W respectively.

Parliamentary Questions

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will provide an answer to the questions reference (a) 161078 and (b) 161079 on steps to control websites encouraging or promoting suicide.

Paul Goggins: holding answer 27 April 2004
	I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 26 April 2004, Official Report, column 765W.

Parole

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners who had been sentenced to more than 10 years have been recalled during each of the last 48 months; and what the reasons for recall were.

Paul Goggins: The number of prisoners who had been sentenced to determinate sentences of 10 years or more who have been recalled is given in the table.
	
		Prisoners with sentences of 10 years or more recalled by month of recall and reason for recall
		
			  All Not known Further offences Being out of touch Hostel— failure to reside Other 
		
		
			 2000   
			 April 6 0 0 3 0 3 
			 May 8 0 4 1 1 2 
			 June 3 0 1 1 0 1 
			 July 5 0 2 0 1 2 
			 August 6 0 2 2 0 2 
			 September 6 0 3 2 1 0 
			 October 9 0 5 0 1 3 
			 November 4 0 1 0 1 2 
			 December 2 0 0 2 0 0 
			
			 2001   
			 January 6 1 4 0 1 0 
			 February 8 0 2 2 2 2 
			 March 5 0 2 0 1 2 
			 April 5 0 1 1 1 2 
			 May 4 0 0 3 0 1 
			 June 2 0 2 0 0 0 
			 July 6 0 2 3 0 1 
			 August 5 0 1 0 1 3 
			 September 5 1 1 1 0 2 
			 October 5 0 1 1 0 3 
			 November 5 0 4 0 0 1 
			 December 4 0 0 1 0 3 
			
			 2002   
			 January 5 0 1 0 1 3 
			 February 6 0 3 1 0 2 
			 March 6 0 2 1 2 1 
			 April 8 0 1 1 0 6 
			 May 4 0 2 2 0 0 
			 June 7 0 1 2 0 4 
			 July 8 1 2 2 1 2 
			 August 8 0 6 1 1 0 
			 September 4 0 3 0 0 1 
			 October 5 0 2 0 0 3 
			 November 7 1 3 0 1 2 
			 December 6 0 5 0 0 1 
			
			 2003   
			 January 10 1 7 2 0 0 
			 February 5 2 1 0 1 1 
			 March 13 0 5 3 2 3 
			 April 7 0 2 2 2 1 
			 May 7 2 2 0 2 1 
			 June 7 0 1 3 0 3 
			 July 11 1 3 5 0 2 
			 August 6 0 2 1 0 3 
			 September 12 2 5 2 1 2 
			 October 7 1 3 0 0 3 
			 November 7 0 2 2 0 3 
			 December 11 0 7 3 1 0 
			
			 2004   
			 January 14 0 4 4 4 2 
			 February 13 1 6 3 0 3 
			 March 14 0 7 5 0 2

Passport Service

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements are in place to ensure the trustworthiness of staff operating database systems, with particular reference to the UK Passport Service.

Des Browne: There are a number of mechanisms available to minimise the risk to databases operated by Government Departments and Agencies from staff who might not be trustworthy.
	In the case of the UK Passport Service (UKPS), all prospective staff are subject to a number of pre-employment checks to confirm identity and entitlement to take employment. UKPS staff are also subject to security clearance checks in accordance with the Prime Minister's statement on security vetting of 15 December 1994. These checks provide UKPS with an appropriate degree of assurance as to the integrity and trustworthiness of staff. The same arrangements apply to the employees of UKPS' private sector partners.
	In addition to pre-employment checks and security clearance for staff, all UKPS systems undergo formal risk assessment and are accredited in line with Government standards and Information Security Standard BS7799. This ensures that UKPS has in place management and technical systems to provide comprehensive auditing and accounting facilities to monitor all access to, and activity on, its databases.

Piracy

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many arrests were made on charges of piracy in the UK in 2003.

Hazel Blears: Information collected centrally is based on persons arrested for 'notifiable' offences within main offence groups only, and as such it does not separately identify piracy offences in the "Other" offence group within which they fall.

Prison Officers

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent consideration he has given to the awarding of a long-service medal to prison officers employed in prisons in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: There are no plans to introduce a Long Service Medal specifically for prison officers employed in prisons in England and Wales. Prison Officers, along with all other staff employed by the Prison Service, receive a 25 Year Long Service Award.

Prisoners

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners who had been sentenced for more than 10 years were (a) in Category C conditions and (b) in open conditions on (i) 31 March and (ii) 31 March in each of the last five years.

Paul Goggins: The number of prisoners sentenced to 10 years or more, including life sentence prisoners, that were in (a) Category C conditions and (b) open conditions on 31 March 2004 and 31 March in each of the previous four years is given in the table. Information for 31 March 1999 is not available and hence data has instead been provided for 30 June 1999.
	
		Prisoners sentenced to 10 years or more
		
			  Category C conditions Open conditions 
		
		
			 2004 2,879 747 
			 2003 1,660 668 
			 2002 1,890 641 
			 2001 1,748 574 
			 2000 1,472 565 
			 1999 1,515 511

Prisoners

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people are projected to be given a custodial sentence in each of the next 12 months.

Paul Goggins: The number of offenders sentenced to custody each month is not one of the totals contained within the prison population projections. Projections of   the prison population under various sentencing scenarios, and the details of these scenarios, are published in the monthly Prison Population Brief.

Prisoners

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what percentage of prisoners were reconvicted of subsequent offences having served a sentence (a) under 12 months, (b) 12 months to under four years and (c) four years or over in each of the last 10 years.

Paul Goggins: Figures for the number and percentage of prisoners reconvicted within two years of discharge from prison are given in Prison Statistics, England and Wales, 1997–2002. Table 9.3 shows reconviction rates for samples of discharged prisoners in that year. To make a full comparison of reconviction rates over time it is necessary to control for changes in the characteristics of discharged prisoners, such as age and previous criminal history, which are strongly associated with reconviction rates.

Prisons

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the judgment in the case of Mr. David McGee; and what plans he has to amend prison regulations.

Paul Goggins: The Prison Service is considering the decision of the court in this case and whether any change to the Prison Act might be appropriate.

Private Finance Initiative

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with the National Assembly for Wales Government about the use of Private Finance Initiative by North Wales police (a) for refurbishment and replacement of police stations and (b) generally.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 4 May 2004
	I met Welsh Assembly Minister Edwina Hart AM last year to discuss funding of Welsh police forces generally. My officials have also had discussions with their counterparts in the Assembly regarding Private Finance Initiative (PFI) schemes and more generally on Welsh police funding.North Wales police currently have one PFI scheme approved for the divisional HQ at St. Asaph, which is under construction. Another scheme put forward by the force is under consideration, jointly by the Welsh Assembly Government and the Home Office.
	Welsh PFI schemes need the approval of the Welsh Assembly Government, as they are responsible for providing the annual revenue grant on the service charge.

Private Finance Initiative

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the use of Private Finance Initiative in relation to capital investment for use of modernising police stations in North Wales.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 4 May 2004
	The Government support the use of Private Finance to help deliver modern police facilities in England and Wales. One Private Finance Initiative (PFI) scheme has been approved for the divisional HQ at St. Asaph in North Wales and is under construction. A second scheme put forward by the North Wales Police is currently under consideration.
	All Welsh PFI schemes also need approval by the Welsh Assembly Government, which provides revenue grant on the annual service charges for approved schemes.

Private Finance Initiative

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much each police force in England and Wales has spent through Private Finance Initiative (a) on refurbishment and replacement of police stations and (b) in total.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 4 May 2004
	The cost incurred by each police force in England and Wales on   refurbishment and replacement of police stations through the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) is not held centrally.
	As a guide to the volume of PFI schemes, I list in the following table schemes for which grant support has been approved as at 1 April 2004:
	
		£ million
		
			 Police authority PFI credits(30) 
		
		
			 Cleveland/Durham 11.000 
			 Cumbria(31) 7.500 
			 Derbyshire(31) 3.774 
			 Derbyshire(31) 23.917 
			 Dorset(31) 24.300 
			 Dyfed-Powys(31) 5.300 
			 Gloucestershire(31) 26.200 
			 Kent(31) 23.600 
			 Norfolk(31) 36.300 
			 Northumbria 1.881 
			 Nottinghamshire 21.460 
			 Thames Valley(31) 10.406 
			 Wiltshire 3.053 
			 North Wales(31) 19.623 
			 Cheshire(31) 45.000 
			 Sussex 39.250 
			 Greater Manchester(31) 63.000 
			 Wiltshire 23.979 
			 Total 389.543 
		
	
	(30) PFI credits represent the capital element within the overall project. They form the basis of annual revenue grant support towards the unitary service charge payable by the police authority to the service operator.
	(31) Denotes schemes that include police stations.

Public Sector Workers (Assaults)

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received on introducing an offence of assaulting a public sector worker in the course of their duty; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: Assaulting a public sector worker in the course of his or her duty is an extremely serious matter. Magistrates courts' guidelines emphasise that assault against "a victim serving the public" should be considered an aggravating factor for sentencing purposes. The Sentencing Guidelines Council will draft a new set of consolidated sentencing guidelines for use in all criminal courts. We anticipate this would similarly include references to whether the victim was at the time of the offence working with the public. We believe this is the right way to deal with such offences.
	The most recent representations we have received on introducing an offence of assaulting a public sector worker in the course of their duty was from the British Parking Association, who wanted a specific offence of assaulting a parking attendant.

Road Traffic Offences

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people lost their driving licence as a consequence of speeding in each year since 1990.

Caroline Flint: Available information from 1990 to 2002, which has been taken from the Home Office Court Proceedings Database, is given in the table.
	
		Number of persons disqualified1 from driving at all courts for speed limit offences(33), England and Wales, 1990 to 2002
		
			  Persons disqualified 
		
		
			 1990 14,690 
			 1991 14,858 
			 1992 13,053 
			 1993 9,658 
			 1994 8,899 
			 1995 9,223 
			 1996 9,587 
			 1997 10,061 
			 1998 12,215 
			 1999 12,050 
			 2000 11,283 
			 2001 11,510 
			 2002 9,557 
		
	
	(32) Excludes persons disqualified under s 35 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 (penalty points system).
	(33) Offences under the Road Traffic Regulations Act 1984 and The Motor Vehicles (Speed Limits on Motorways) Regulations 1973.

Seasonal Agriculture Workers

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the suspension of the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme in respect of students from Romania and Bulgaria; and when he expects to review the suspension.

Des Browne: holding answer 30 April 2004
	On 30 March 2004, we announced a suspension on the processing of visa applications in Bulgaria and Romania while allegations of abuse of the immigration arrangements were investigated. On 13 April, the suspensions were partially lifted, except for applications under the managed migration entry routes, including the Seasonal Agricultural Workers' Scheme (SAWS).
	The investigation into the allegations is being conducted as quickly as possible.

Sustainable Development

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made on his Department's Sustainable Development Strategy.

Fiona Mactaggart: The Department's Sustainable Development Framework Project has been commissioned to develop, implement and manage a series of individual activities across the Home Office Group including the Prison Service. This project has been established to ensure the Department meets the environmental targets set out in the Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate. A review of existing initiatives and policies has been undertaken and a gap analysis produced to enable the development of individual work streams to address sustainable development targets. Progress against these individual work streams is being made and is monitored and reviewed regularly.
	We have also made significant progress towards sustainable development targets on reducing crime and the fear of crime, and increasing voluntary and community activity. The British Crime Survey (BCS) data shows that vehicle thefts fell by 38 per cent. and burglary by 29 per cent. between 1991 and 2002–03. Recorded crime fell by 23 per cent. and burglary in dwellings by 17 per cent. between 1990 and 2002–03 and that the fear of crime is now lower than the levels in the 2001 British Crime Survey. The number of people engaged in community participation has increased by more than 6 per cent. to 1.6 million since 2001.

Sutton Inquiry

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  if he will ensure that the inquiry and visit to Sofia by Mr. Ken Sutton of his Department into the Managed Migration scheme and related issues will take account of the impact that suspension of the issuing of visas will have on teachers appointed to schools in Essex and Thurrock; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  when he expects to receive the report by Mr. Ken Sutton into the Managed Migration scheme as it operates in Sofia; when teachers appointed to posts in Essex and Thurrock schools can expect consideration of their visa applications; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: holding answer 30 April 2004
	We hope to receive Ken Sutton's report shortly. The length of the temporary suspension of the arrangements for those, in Sofia, seeking visas for managed migration schemes will be as short as possible. The impact on those wishing to seek entry to the UK legitimately under managed migration routes is a matter of regret. However, we consider that this temporary suspension was the right action in the circumstances and crucial to public confidence in the integrity of our immigration system.

Workplace Crime

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to bring the victims of workplace crimes and their families into the remit of the Victims' Charter.

Paul Goggins: holding answer 28 April 2004
	A review of the Victim's Charter was completed in 2003. The Charter will be replaced by a statutory Code of Practice for victims, which is enabled by, and one of the key measures in, the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Bill currently before Parliament. The Code will place obligations on criminal justice agencies to provide specific services, within prescribed time scales, to victims of crime, irrespective of where the crime takes place.
	As part of the review, my officials had discussions with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). HSE is further developing the existing arrangements for liaison with victims, and bereaved families, of work-related incidents so as to mirror, as far as resources and remit allow, the kinds of services the Code will deliver. However, as the Code's primary purpose is to set out the obligations of criminal justice agencies to victims of crime, the HSE, along with other organisations which have interactions with victims in a broader sense, was considered outside of its scope. My officials will remain in close touch with their counterparts in the HSE to ensure that best practice continues to be shared.

HEALTH

Air Gun Injuries

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were treated for injuries involving air guns in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: There are no central data on the total number of patients treated each year in the national health service for injuries involving air guns.

Alzheimer's

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the research projects into Alzheimer's disease and related conditions funded by the Government, with the amounts of money provided in each case.

Melanie Johnson: Details of research projects relating to Alzheimer's disease and related conditions, funded by, or of interest to, the national health service are recorded on the National Research Register (NRR) at www.update-software.com/national. The NRR currently contains details of over 200 on-going projects in this area, as well as a larger number of completed projects. These include projects commissioned by the Department.
	In 2002–03, the Medical Research Council (MRC) spent £6.6 million on research relevant to Alzheimer's and related conditions, such as general dementia, AIDS-related dementia, Pick's disease and Huntington's. Details of the research may be found on the MRC website at www.mrc.ac.uk.
	The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) also funds research relating to Alzheimer's and related conditions. Details of projects can be found on the EPSRC website at www.epsrc.ac.uk.

Ambulances

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department has issued to the ambulance service regarding the introduction of the Localizer or White Noise siren systems.

Rosie Winterton: The Department for Health and the Department for Transport have not issued guidance to the ambulance service regarding the introduction of White Noise siren systems.

Ambulances

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whose responsibility it is to take decisions on the specifications of ambulance sirens; and whether there is a published list of contact details of the persons responsible.

Rosie Winterton: The decision of which ambulance siren to use is normally made by the fleet manager or transport manager at each national health service trust, in conjunction with the operations director.
	There is no published list of all the personnel responsible for making this decision.

Ambulances

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health at what level the decision on the specifications of ambulance sirens was taken.

Rosie Winterton: Decisions on the specifications of ambulance sirens are made by the local ambulance trusts.

Anti-psychotic Drugs

Helen Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many adverse reaction reports were received through the Yellow Card reporting system regarding (a) anti-psychotic drugs excluding atypicals and (b) atypical anti-psychotic drugs in (i) 2000–01, (ii) 2001–02, (iii) 2002–03 and (iv) 2003–04; and how many prescriptions there were for each of these types of drugs in these years.

Rosie Winterton: The table shows the number of suspected adverse drug reaction (ADR) reports received via the United Kingdom yellow card scheme regarding antipsychotic drugs (atypical and other antipsychotics) each year since 2000 together with the number of prescriptions dispensed in the community in England.
	
		Number of suspected ADR reports UK and number of prescriptions dispensed in the community (England) 
		
			  Antipsychotics (excluding atypicals) Atypical antipsychotics 
			  ADRs Prescriptions ADRs Prescriptions 
		
		
			 2000 110 3,790,273 917 1,149,450 
			 2001 118 2,875,980 1100 1,842,005 
			 2002 100 2,507,203 1322 2,471,345 
			 2003 131 2,251,279 1689 3,083,712 
		
	
	It is important to note that a report of an adverse reaction does not necessarily mean that it was caused by the drug. Many factors have to be taken into account in assessing causal relationships including temporal association, the possible contribution of concomitant medication and the underlying disease. Other factors such as the time since a drug was first marketed, media interest or regulatory action can also influence the frequency of reporting. This means that reporting rates based on numbers of spontaneous reports and numbers of prescriptions are not true measures of the frequency of reactions or a firm basis for comparisons between drug substances or classes.

Ashford Hospital

David Wilshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what costs were incurred by his Department in changing the preferred bidder for the proposed diagnostic treatment centre at Ashford hospital;
	(2)  what date it was decided to remove preferred bidder status from Mercury Healthcare for the provision of a diagnostic treatment centre at Ashford (Middlesex) hospital; and on what date this decision was communicated to the company.

John Hutton: The Department made a payment of approximately £1.1 million to Mercury Healthcare as a contribution towards their bid costs when they were deselected as the preferred bidder for the provision of the independent sector treatment centre 'spine' chain. Capio UK was subsequently appointed as preferred bidder for the chain. This switch has enabled the Department to secure a multi-million pound saving in the price of the contact. This significant saving is shared across the entire chain, including the proposed treatment centre at the Ashford hospital.
	The decision to remove the preferred bidder status from Mercury Healthcare was formally endorsed by the chain's board of national health service sponsors at its meeting on 27 January 2004. Following a period of negotiation with Mercury Healthcare, the national implementation team formally communicated this decision on 17 February 2004.

Body Piercing/Tattooing

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the regulation of body piercing and tattooing establishments.

Melanie Johnson: Local authorities have powers to regulate body piercing and tattooing businesses by requiring registration and observance of bylaws relating to the hygiene and cleanliness of premises, practitioners and equipment. In London, local authorities have powers under private legislation to require such businesses to be licensed and observe licensing conditions relating to a range of matters including the hygiene and cleanliness of the premises and equipment.
	It is an offence for a body piercing or tattooing business to operate without being registered or licensed or to breach bylaws or licensing conditions.
	The following statutory provisions are relevant to the regulation of body piercing and tattooing businesses:
	Local Government Act 2003
	London Local Authorities Act 2000
	London Local Authorities Act 1995
	London Local Authorities Act 1991
	Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982
	Greater London Council (General Powers Act) Act 1981
	Local authorities also have general enforcement powers under health and safety at work legislation.

Caesarean Sections

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the health risks for (a) mother and (b) baby in delivery by Caesarean section.

Stephen Ladyman: The National Institute for Clinical Excellence issued clinical guidelines on the use of caesarean section on 29 April. The guideline will be a useful tool to advise clinicians of best evidence on when to perform a caesarean section and when not to perform one. It also emphasises the appropriate care women and their babies need before, during and after the procedure. The guideline will also ensure that when considering a caesarean section, there should be a discussion on the benefits and risk of caesarean section compared with vaginal birth. We support the need for women to be offered evidence-based information and support to enable them to make informed choices about their care during birth.
	The National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) has been established to focus our efforts to improve patient safety in the national health service to promote an open and fair culture and to run a new national reporting and learning system for patient safety incidents including those involving mothers and their babies. The NPSA has begun a programme to roll out this system, launched at NPSA's conference on 25 February 2004, across NHS organisations during 2004.

Caesarean Sections

Alan Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many births were by Caesarean section in each maternity unit within Northumbria NHS Trust in 2003; and how many of these were (a) emergency and (b) planned procedures.

Melanie Johnson: Estimated 1 numbers of emergency and planned caesarean deliveries at North Tyneside General Hospital for 2002–03 are shown in the table.
	1  Available data on delivery method from 1,552 records are grossed to known number of deliveries.
	
		
			 Type of delivery Number 
		
		
			 Planned caesareans 130 
			 Emergency caesareans 193 
			 Total deliveries by caesarean 323 
			 Total deliveries 1,604 
		
	
	Source:
	Hospital Episodes Statistics.
	Further information can be found at www. publications.doh.gov.uk/public.sb0410.htm.

Chernobyl

Eric Martlew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many farms in Cumbria are still affected by the radioactive fall out from the 1986 Chernobyl accident.

Melanie Johnson: I refer my hon. Friend to the response I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Blaenau Gwent (Llew Smith) on 11 May 2004, Official Report, column 208W.

Chest Pain Clinics

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many rapid access chest pain clinics there are in the constituency of Huntingdon.

Stephen Ladyman: There is one rapid access chest pain   clinic in the constituency of Huntingdon, at Hinchingbrooke Healthcare National Health Service Trust.

Continence

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the number of children with continence problems assessed and managed by (a) school nurses, (b) general practitioners and (c) specialist nurses;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the adequacy of treatment and care received by children with continence conditions.

Stephen Ladyman: National health service primary care trusts (PCTs) are responsible for assessing and providing continence services. An assessment of service levels and of the numbers of children accessing services provided by school nurses, general practitioners and specialist nurses is not undertaken centrally. Guidance issued in 2000, "Good Practice in Continence Services", advises that each PCT should have specialist continence services in place, which provide an individual assessment of needs. PCTs are also encouraged to use the Modernisation Agency's publication, "Good practice in paediatric continence services—benchmarking in action", when ensuring quality provision.

Dentistry

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  why the appropriation aid provision in the Estimates attributable to dental charges is reduced in 2004–05 to £229,550,000 from £491,000,000 in 2003–04;
	(2)  why the provision in the Estimates for general dental services in 2004–05 is £245 million less than the provision in 2003–04.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 27 April 2004
	The Government are committed to rebuilding and restoring national health service dentistry to improve the oral health of the nation. Overall expenditure on dental services, covering both general dental services (CDS) and personal dental services (PDS) and the associated income from dental charges, is expected to rise in 2004–05. However, in drawing up the estimate for this early stage in the year, provision for primary dental services has been split initially between section D (GDS) of the estimate and section A (aggregate provision for strategic health authority and primary care trust budgets and central allocations). This is because an increasing number of dental practices are converting from general dental practice contracts to PDS contracts. PDS contracts are funded from discretionary allocations delegated to PCTs, whereas GDS are funded from a national, non-discretionary budget.
	The balance of provision between the two sections of the estimate, and the associated charge income, will be adjusted at a supplementary estimate stage when the level of conversion from the GDS to the PDS over the coming 12 months is known. As a non-discretionary service, provision for the GDS will be adjusted to reflect the volume of dentistry delivered by general dental practitioners.

Dentistry

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many calls to NHS Direct about access to an NHS dentists there were in each month since November 2001, broken down by (a) emergency, (b) urgent, (c) routine and (d) other calls for (i) England and (ii) each strategic health authority.

John Hutton: Calls to NHS Direct about access to a National Health Service dentist in each month since November 2001 by emergency, urgent, routine and other are shown in the table.
	This information is not collated centrally for each strategic health authority.
	
		Number
		
			  Total Emergency Urgent Routine Not known 
		
		
			 November 2001 10,922 1,143 2,542 6,546 691 
			 December 2001 10,023 1,456 3,274 4,482 811 
			 January 2002 13,064 1,605 3,078 7,124 1,257 
			 February 2002 10,316 1,073 2,902 5,535 806 
			 March 2002 13,336 1,061 3,849 6,742 1,684 
			 April 2002 15,472 1,666 4,241 8,322 1,243 
			 May 2002 15,693 1,506 4,287 8,361 1,539 
			 June 2002 14,726 1,551 4,598 7,145 1,432 
			 July 2002 16,032 1,539 4,164 8,827 1,502 
			 August 2002 15,797 1,584 4,646 8,303 1,264 
			 September 2002 14,862 1,387 3,886 8,229 1,360 
			 October 2002 15,912 1,409 3,457 9,671 1,375 
			 November 2002 15,770 1,456 3,381 9,505 1,428 
			 December 2002 14,629 1,729 4,308 7,149 1,443 
			 January 2003 17,860 1,614 3,648 10,952 1,646 
			 February 2003 13,576 1,220 3,075 7,968 1,313 
			 March 2003 15,325 1,416 3,407 9,093 1,409 
			 April 2003 15,863 1,399 3,510 9,446 1,508 
			 May 2003 16,257 1,471 3,977 9,307 1,502 
			 June 2003 17,404 1,563 3,823 10,485 1,533 
			 July 2003 19,012 1,581 4,192 10,723 2,516 
			 August 2003 18,016 1,806 4,201 10,471 1,538 
			 September 2003 19,472 1,708 4,117 11,350 2,297 
			 October 2003 19,829 1,529 3,733 10,905 3,662 
			 January 2004 19,702 1,462 3,613 12,726 1,901 
			 February 2004 18,258 1,575 3,653 11,312 1,718

Dentistry

Andrew Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) dental practices and (b) dentists in Hampshire provide NHS treatment; how many hours of NHS dentistry they offer each (i) week and (ii) month; and if he will make a statement on the availability of NHS dental treatment in Hampshire.

Rosie Winterton: The latest available information for Hampshire shows that there were 288 dental practices and 635 dentists providing national health service dental services in the general dental services or personal dental services.
	In the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Strategic Health Authority there were 62 dentists working full or part-time in the Community Dental Service area (a whole time equivalent of 42) and, in the hospital dental service, there were 57 dentists (48 whole-time equivalent). Information on the number of practices is not available.
	Information is not available on the number of hours worked as general dental practitioners are independent contractors who are able to vary the amount of NHS dentistry they do and to vary their working week.
	We are currently taking forward major reforms of NHS dentistry through proposals in the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003. Under these proposals, primary care trusts (PCT) will have a duty to secure the provision of primary dental services. With these new responsibilities will go the £1.3 billion financial resources (2003–04) currently held centrally. The reforms will give a better deal for patients, for dentists and for the NHS.
	In the run up to the changes, we have provided new investment totalling £90 million to improve NHS dentistry. £59 million will support access, and strategic health authorities have been advised of their shares and are working with their PCTs to address access issues. £30 million is to support information technology and the balance of £1 million will support organisational development locally.
	The PCTs in Hampshire are working closely with their strategic health authority (Hampshire and Isle of   Wight) supported by the shadow special health authority (dentistry) to improve local dental access using their share of the access funds: some £1.64 million in 2004–05.

Dentistry

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists have left the NHS, in whole or in part, to work in the private sector in each year since 1997 in (a) Greater London and (b) each London borough.

Rosie Winterton: Information on the total number of dentists leaving the general dental service (GDS) or personal dental service (PDS) is given in the table for primary care trust (PCT) areas in London; information is not collected by borough. Information is not available on the reason for leaving.
	Dentists can leave the national health service for a variety of reasons. These include retirements, short-term absence, leaving for other employment as well as dentists leaving the NHS dental services to practise wholly privately. Those working in the GDS can increase or reduce their NHS commitment, and this is not reflected in the figures.
	Few dentists leave the NHS altogether to practise privately. The Office of Fair Trading report, "The private dentistry market in the UK", stated that only 210 practices are totally private in the United Kingdom out of 11,000 practices in total.
	The number of NHS dentists in the Greater London area increased from 3,107 in September 1997 to 3,444 in September 2003.
	
		Table 1: Number of leavers from GDS and PDS
		
			  Year ending 30 September 
			 Primary Care Trust 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 Barking and Dagenham 2 1 3 3 6 1 
			 Barnet 12 13 6 13 10 11 
			 Bexley Care Trust 2 6 6 6 7 5 
			 Brent 7 10 4 7 11 11 
			 Bromley 13 2 9 7 8 9 
			 Camden 17 14 13 12 23 11 
			 City and Hackney 9 5 9 6 9 4 
			 Croydon 17 13 9 13 20 5 
			 Ealing 10 13 32 7 21 1 
			 Enfield 10 10 8 8 4 10 
			 Greenwich 4 6 7 7 5 4 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 4 3 10 9 19 2 
			 Haringey 8 3 11 13 9 8 
			 Harrow 2 6 7 4 7 2 
			 Havering 3 5 5 5 7 7 
			 Hillingdon 6 9 5 9 11 8 
			 Hounslow 6 3 14 13 14 2 
			 Islington 7 7 12 9 12 14 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 10 2 6 5 7 11 
			 Kingston 1 4 7 8 7 2 
			 Lambeth 12 21 8 14 14 5 
			 Lewisham 3 13 9 9 16 5 
			 Newham 5 5 5 9 6 6 
			 Redbridge 5 5 7 9 13 9 
			 Richmond and Twickenham 3 6 9 10 6 6 
			 Southwark 4 10 6 13 6 6 
			 Sutton and Merton 9 8 12 9 17 11 
			 Tower Hamlets 4 6 5 4 7 5 
			 Waltham Forest 7 2 2 5 5 6 
			 Wandsworth 19 10 16 17 19 25 
			 Westminster 13 26 12 24 21 19 
			
			 Greater London PCTs 234 247 274 287 347 231 
		
	
	Note:
	Information is not available on the number of dentists who have partially left the NHS. Dentists in the GDS and PDS are mainly self-employed and are free to vary the amount of NHS work that they do.

Dentistry

Gary Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the availability of NHS dentists in (a) Plympton, (b) Plymstock and (c) South West Devon; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what steps he intends to take to increase the number of NHS dentists in South West Devon.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 29 April 2004
	The number of dental undergraduates is increasing and we are seeking to attract new graduates into national health service dentistry, to bring back returners to practice and to recruit overseas dentists. At a local level, the whole of the South West Peninsula Strategic Health Authority area has been identified as an "Options for Change" field site and dentists are increasingly opting for the new ways of working that personal dental services allows. A total of 18 practices across the South West Peninsula, including two in Plymouth, have now adopted local contracts with their primary care trusts under "Options for Change".

Dentistry

Colin Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the trend has been in the number of NHS dentistry patients in each year since 1997 in Morley and Rothwell.

Melanie Johnson: The information requested for Leeds Health Authority (HA) and South Leeds Primary Care Trust (PCT), which covers Morley and Rothwell, is shown in the tables.
	
		General Dental Service: children and adult registration list sizes and registration rates at 30September 1977 to 2001—Leeds HA
		
			  Number of registrations Registration rate (percentage) 
			  Adult Child Total Adult Child Total 
		
		
			 1997 304,406 111,899 416,305 55 68 58 
			 1998 273,722 104,724 378,446 50 64 53 
			 1999 269,879 104,494 374,373 49 64 52 
			 2000 269,905 104,420 374,325 49 65 53 
			 2001 266,807 101,479 368,286 48 63 52 
		
	
	
		General Dental Service: children and adult registration list sizes and registration rates at 30September 2002 to 2003(34)—South Leeds PCT
		
			  Number of registrations Registration rate (percentage) 
			  Adult Child Total Adult Child Total 
		
		
			 2002 56,298 21,626 77,924 51 61 53 
			 2003 55,172 21,067 76,239 50 59 52 
		
	
	(34) Following transfer from HAs to PCTs in 2002, results were published for PCTs rather than HAs.
	Notes:
	1. Based on the number of registrations at 30 September each year.
	2. Registration rates are based on a 15 month registration period. Following the change of registration rate from 24 months to 15 months September 1997 rates are affected.
	3. Population data are ONS mid year census estimates.

Dentistry

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 19 April 2004, Official Report, column 255W, on dentists, if he will estimate the impact of the recent National Institute for Clinical Excellence draft guidance on the patient charge revenue from dental examinations.

Rosie Winterton: The National Institute for Clinical Excellence's (NICE) consultation document on dental recall intervals does not constitute its formal guidance: the recommendations are preliminary and may change after the consultation. Dentists will be expected to follow the final advice, which NICE is expected to publish later this year. This may mean that patients with low risk of disease are seen less frequently than now.
	We have also set up a working group under the   chairmanship of Harry Cayton, the Department's director for patients and the public, to recommend a new patient charge system. This group has now reported and we are considering its recommendations. We hope to publish the report in due course.

Dentistry

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people failed to attend NHS dentist appointments in (a) 2003–04 and (b) each of the preceding five years in (i) Worthing and (ii) England.

Rosie Winterton: No information is available on the number of people failing to attend national health service dental appointments. Details of missed appointments are held only by the dentists and are not collected centrally.

Early Retirement

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff in his Department took early retirement and at what total cost, in the last financial year.

Rosie Winterton: 65 staff took early retirement in the Department in the financial year 2003–04 at a cost of £6,311,042, including annual compensation payments until staff reach normal retirement age.

Eating Disorders

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which local health authorities provide a specialist eating disorders service; where these services are located; and how many in-patient beds each facility had in each of the last five years.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is not centrally available.
	Details of services available locally can be obtained from strategic health authorities.
	The hon. Member may wish to contact the Eating Disorders Association (Registered Charity No. 801343), which provides information on the services available across the country, at the following address.
	Eating Disorders Association
	103 Prince of Wales Road Norwich NR1 1DW
	Direct Line 0870 7703221
	Fax 01603 664915
	Email media@edauk.com

Eating Disorders

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding his Department has made available for the specific treatment of eating disorders in each of the last five years.

Rosie Winterton: In his 2002 Budget announcement, my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced the largest sustained increase in funding of any five-year period in the history of the national health service. Over the years 2003–04 to 2007–08, these plans mean that expenditure on the NHS will increase on average by 7.4 per cent., a year over and   above inflation. However in keeping with the philosophy of "Shifting the Balance of Power", primary care trusts are free to decide the allocation of resources locally.

Fluoride

Bill Etherington: To ask the Secretary of State for   Health 
	(1)  when he expects to (a) receive and (b) publish the results of the Newcastle university research study on the bioavailability of artificial and natural fluoride in drinking water;
	(2)  when he expects to receive the Chief Medical and Chief Dental Officers' report (a) on the relevance and priority of the Medical Research Council report on water fluoridation and (b) setting out the alternatives available to residents of fluoridated areas who do not wish to drink fluoridated water; and if he will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: The report of the research study into the bioavailability of fluoride in naturally and artificially fluoridated drinking water will be placed in the Library when available. The results of the research will enable the Chief Medical and Chief Dental Officer to complete their advice which will cover both research requirements and the conduct of consultations on fluoridating local water supplies. All drinking water contains some fluoride. Strategic health authorities undertaking consultations on proposals to increase the fluoride content will need to take into account the views of any people who do not wish to drink fluoridated water.

Foreign Health Professionals

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS (a) doctors and (b) nurses trained abroad in each of the last three years.

John Hutton: The number of doctors employed in the national health service by country of qualification for each of the last three years is shown in the table.
	The Department does not collect information on the number of nurses employed in the NHS who trained abroad. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) holds information on the number of overseas nurses entering the register each year. This information can be found on the NMC website at www.nmc-uk.org.
	
		Hospital, Public Health Medicine, Community Health Services (HCHS) and General Medical Practitioners—All NHS Doctors by country of primary medical qualification: England, as at 30September -- Number (Headcount)
		
			  2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 All Doctors 100,289 104,448 109,964 
			 of which:
			 Qualified within United Kingdom 69,833 71,284 74,037 
			 Qualified within the rest of the European Economic Area 4,829 5,097 5,379 
			 Qualified Elsewhere 22,095 24,413 26,785 
			 Unknown(35) 3,532 3,654 3,763 
			 HCHS medical and dental staff(36) 68,484 72,168 76,400 
			 Of which:
			 Qualified within United Kingdom 43,831 45,017 46,890 
			 Qualified within the rest of the European Economic Area 3,574 3,741 3,932 
			 Qualified Elsewhere 17,547 19,756 21,815 
			 Unknown(35) 3,532 3,654 3,763 
			 General Medical Practitioner(37) 31,805 32,280 33,564 
			 Of which:
			 Qualified within United Kingdom 26,002 26,267 27,147 
			 Qualified within the rest of the European Economic Area 1,255 1,356 1,447 
			 Qualified Elsewhere 4,548 4,657 4,970 
		
	
	(35) Information about country of qualification is derived from the General Medical Council. For staff in dental specialties, with a General Dental Council registration, the country of qualification is therefore unknown
	(36) Excludes Hospital Medical Hospital Practitioners and Hospital Medical Clinical Assistants, most of whom are GPs working part-time in hospitals
	(37) All practitioners include GMS Unrestricted Principals, PMS Contracted GPs, PMS Salaried GPs, Restricted Principals, Assistants, GP Registrars, Salaried Doctors (Para 52 SPA), PMS Other and GP Retainers.
	Source:
	Department of Health medical and dental workforce census
	Department of Health General and Personal Medical Services Statistics

Foundation Trusts

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost of the regulator of NHS foundation trusts will be for each of the next three years.

John Hutton: The provisional amount in parliamentary estimates that has been allocated to the office of the independent regulator for 2004–05 is £5 million. Negotiations on the actual amount of the budget for 2004–05 are nearing completion. The office of the independent regulator is currently classified by the Cabinet Office as an executive non-departmental public body of the Department, and therefore for future financial years the Department will allocate funds based on costed business plans provided by the chairman of the independent regulator each year for inclusion in the departmental vote.
	The chairman of the independent regulator is the accounting officer and is responsible for ensuring that the public funds for which he is responsible are properly managed and safeguarded, and are used in line with the regulator's statutory functions and responsibilities. This   includes a duty to exercise functions effectively, efficiently and economically.

General Practitioners

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has undertaken into the most common reasons for people visiting their general practitioner; what the results were; and if he will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: The Department does not commission such research but studies of this kind are made by the Office of Health Economics.

General Practitioners

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioner premises have been (a) replaced and (b) modernised in each year since 1997.

John Hutton: The table shows the number of general practitioner premises replaced and modernised in each year from 2000–01. This information was not collected prior to that date.
	
		
			 GP premises Replaced Modernised 
		
		
			 2000–01 163 403 
			 2001–02 174 358 
			 2002–03 132 402 
			 2003–04(38) 105 213 
			 Totals 574 1,376 
		
	
	(38) Up to December 2003.

Health Services

Joe Benton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much public funding has been spent on health in Bootle in each of the last seven years.

Melanie Johnson: The information is not available in the format requested. Expenditure per weighted head in the Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic Health Authority (SHA) area, which includes the constituency of Bootle, has increased from £596.24 in 1997–98 to £1,103.34 in 2002–03 (the latest year available). This does not represent the total expenditure per head as an element of health expenditure cannot be identified by SHA area.

Health Services

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what changes he expects in the number of patients requiring health services in the constituency of Huntingdon over the next 10 years; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: Following the "Shifting the Balance of Power" initiative, it is for primary care trusts (PCTs) in partnership with health authorities and other local stakeholders to plan and commission local services for their local populations.
	I understand that Huntingdonshire district council anticipates an increase in population from 158,000 in 2002 to 163,800 by 2011.
	Huntingdonshire PCT is working with its local partners to ensure that services meet the future needs of an increased population.

Health Services

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the benefits for residents of the constituency of Huntingdon of the Health Development Agency.

Stephen Ladyman: The Department has not required the Health Development Agency (HDA) to assess its effect separately at constituency level.
	Much of the East of England regional work of the HDA, which includes Huntingdon, is focussed on service delivery that supports the whole of the region's public health development, particularly around cancer, coronary heart disease and respiratory diseases, national healthy schools standards and the ageing population.

Health Services

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of NHS staff working in Greater London hospitals, broken down by national health service trust, receive financial assistance with regard to (a) housing and (b) transportation.

John Hutton: The information requested is not held centrally.
	Information on the number of healthcare workers who have benefited from Government assistance in purchasing their own homes under the Starter Home Initiative scheme by the end of March 2004 broken down by London national health service trust is collected and is contained in the following table.
	
		SHI Completions 2001–02 to 2003–04
		
			  Number of Units 
			 Employer name 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 Total completions by end March 2004 
		
		
			 Barking and Dagenham Primary Care Trust — 1 4 5 
			 Barking, Havering and Redbridge Hospitals NHS trust — 5 21 26 
			 Barts and the London NHS trust — 7 58 65 
			 Chingford, Wanstead and Woodford Primary Care Trust City and   Hackney Primary Care Trust — 6 14 110 
			 East London and the City Mental Health NHS Trust — 13 17 30 
			 Havering Primary Care Trust — — 4 4 
			 Homerton Hospital NHS Trust — 7 28 35 
			 Newham Healthcare NHS Trust — 5 15 20 
			 Newham Primary Care Trust — 5 13 18 
			 North East London Mental Health NHS Trust — 3 10 13 
			 Redbridge Primary Care Trust — — 2 2 
			 Tower Hamlets Primary Care Trust — 4 11 15 
			 Walthamstow, Leyton and Leytonstone Primary Care Trust — — 1 1 
			 Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS Trust — 7 12 19 
			 Total NE London 0 63 201 264 
			  
			 Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust — 4 33 37 
			 Barnet Primary Care Trust — 2 12 14 
			 Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust — 3 7 10 
			 Camden and Islington Community Health Services NHS Trust — 8 10 18 
			 Camden and Islington Mental Health NHS Trust — 7 29 36 
			 Enfield Primary Care Trust — 1 8 9 
			 Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust — 28 42 70 
			 Haringey Primary Care Trust — 5 10 15 
			 Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Trust — — 11 11 
			 North Middlesex Hospital NHS Trust — — 16 16 
			 Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust — 14 39 53 
			 Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust — 1 13 14 
			 Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust — — 2 2 
			 University College London Hospitals NHS Trust — 35 56 91 
			 Whittington Hospital NHS Trust — 4 12 16 
			 Total NC London 0 112 300 412 
			 Brent   4 4 
			 Kensington Chelsea and Westminster Mental Health NHS Trust — 24 29 53 
			 Chelsea and Westminster Healthcare NHS Trust 1 33 46 80 
			 Ealing Hospital NHS Trust — 10 16 26 
			 Harrow and Hillingdon Healthcare NHS Trust — 2 2 4 
			 Hillingdon Hospital NHS Trust — 9 16 25 
			 Hillingdon Primary Care Trust — 1 4 5 
			 Hounslow Primary Care NHS Trust — 1 13 14 
			 North West London Hospitals NHS Trust — 16 28 44 
			 Parkside Health NHS Trust (Hammersmith and Fulham PCT) 1 2 15 18 
			 Riverside Community Healthcare NHS Trust (H and F PCT) — 3 3 6 
			 Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust — 10 17 27 
			 St. Mary's Hospital NHS Trust — 17 25 42 
			 The Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust 1 49 57 107 
			 West London Mental Health NHS Trust — — 19 19 
			 West Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust — 7 10 17 
			 Total NW London 3 184 304 491 
			  
			 Bexley Primary Care Trust — 1 3 4 
			 Bromley Hospitals NHS Trust — 7 12 19 
			 Bromley Primary Care Trust — 2 2 4 
			 Community Health South London NHS Trust — 6 14 20 
			 Greenwich Healthcare NHS Trust — 3 11 14 
			 Greenwich Primary Care Trust — 2 2 4 
			 Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospital NHS Trust — 30 54 84 
			 King's Healthcare NHS Trust — 21 47 68 
			 London Ambulance Service NHS Trust — 34 43 77 
			 Oxleas NHS Trust — 1 13 14 
			 Queen Mary's Sidcup NHS Trust — 2 5 7 
			 South London and Maudsley NHS Trust 1 37 45 83 
			 The Lewisham Hospital NHS Trust — 12 13 25 
			 Total SE London 1 158 264 423 
			  
			 Croydon and Surrey Downs Community Health NHS Trust Epsom and   St. Helier NHS Trust — 11 212 313 
			 Kingston Hospital NHS Trust — 4 11 15 
			 Kingston PCT — 1  1 
			 Mayday Healthcare NHS Trust — 7 16 23 
			 South West London and St. George's Mental Health NHS Trust — 15 23 38 
			 South West London Community NHS Trust — 4 17 21 
			 St. George's Healthcare NHS Trust — 26 37 63 
			 Teddington, Twickenham and Hamptons Primary Care Trust — 2 2 4 
			 The Royal Marsden NHS Trust 2 10 14 26 
			 Total SW London 2 71 134 207 
			  
			 Total 6 588 1,203 1,797

Health Services

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many cases of MRSA have been identified in hospitals within Greater London, broken down by national health service trust, in each year since 1997;
	(2)  what percentage of patients within hospitals in Greater London, broken down by national health service trust, are infected with MRSA;
	(3)  what percentage of NHS staff within hospitals in Greater London, broken down by national health service trust, are infected with MRSA.

Melanie Johnson: Information on cases by individual Trust from 1997 is not available. The tables show data available from the mandatory methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) blood stream (bacteraemia) infections surveillance system that started in April 2001. Information on National Health Service staff is not available, but MRSA rarely infects healthy people such as healthcare staff.
	
		Reported MRSA bacteraemias and rates by acute NHS Trust (April 2001 Mar 2002)
		
			 London region Total MRSA MRSA Rate per 1,000 bed days 
		
		
			 Trust Name 
			 Barking, Havering and Redbridge Hospitals NHS   Trust 92 0.19 
			 Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust 62 0.18 
			 Barts and the London NHS Trust 62 0.17 
			 Bromley Hospitals NHS Trust 37 0.19 
			 Chelsea and Westminster Healthcare NHS Trust 36 0.21 
			 Ealing Hospital NHS Trust 40 0.29 
			 Epsom and St. Helier NHS Trust 84 0.31 
			 Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS   Trust 7 0.09 
			 Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Trust 114 0.31 
			 Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust 89 0.27 
			 Hillingdon Hospital NHS Trust 33 0.15 
			 Homerton Hospital NHS Trust 14 0.09 
			 King's College Hospital NHS Trust 92 0.30 
			 Kingston Hospital NHS Trust 23 0.12 
			 Lewisham Hospital NHS Trust 54 0.29 
			 Mayday Healthcare NHS Trust 39 0.16 
			 Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Trust 0 0.00 
			 Newham Healthcare NHS Trust 25 0.17 
			 North Middlesex Hospital NHS Trust 45 0.28 
			 North West London Hospitals NHS Trust 59 0.21 
			 Queen Elizabeth Hospital NHS Trust 18 0.12 
			 Queen Mary's Sidcup NHS Trust 30 0.23 
			 Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust 9 0.07 
			 Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust 122 0.43 
			 Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Trust 6 0.09 
			 Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust 2 0.04 
			 St. George's Healthcare NHS Trust 115 0.38 
			 St. Mary's NHS Trust 64 0.30 
			 University College London Hospitals NHS Trust 94 0.36 
			 West Middlesex University NHS Trust 32 0.23 
			 Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS Trust 45 0.18 
			 Whittington Hospital NHS Trust 27 0.18 
		
	
	
		MRSA reported bacteraemias and rates by acute NHS Trust (April 2002 to March 2003)
		
			 London region Total MRSA MRSA rate per 1,000 bed days 
		
		
			 Trust Name   
			 Barking, Havering and Redbridge Hospitals NHS   Trust 77 0.16 
			 Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust 94 0.27 
			 Barts and the London NHS Trust 74 0.21 
			 Bromley Hospitals NHS Trust 32 0.17 
			 Chelsea and Westminster Healthcare NHS Trust 32 0.19 
			 Ealing Hospital NHS Trust 38 0.28 
			 Epsom and St. Helier NHS Trust 72 0.26 
			 Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS   Trust 13 0.17 
			 Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Trust 154 0.42 
			 Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust 115 0.34 
			 Hillingdon Hospital NHS Trust 36 0.17 
			 Homerton Hospital NHS Trust 19 0.13 
			 King's College Hospital NHS Trust 108 0.35 
			 Kingston Hospital NHS Trust 42 0.23 
			 Lewisham Hospital NHS Trust 45 0.24 
			 Mayday Healthcare NHS Trust 48 0.20 
			 Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Trust 0 0.00 
			 Newham Healthcare NHS Trust 33 0.23 
			 North Middlesex Hospital NHS Trust 48 0.30 
			 Queen Elizabeth Hospital 35 0.23 
			 Queen Mary's Sidcup NHS Trust 32 0.24 
			 Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust 9 0.07 
			 Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust 101 0.35 
			 Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Trust 7 0.10 
			 Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust 6 0.13 
			 St. George's Healthcare NHS Trust 75 0.25 
			 St. Mary's NHS Trust 72 0.33 
			 University College London Hospitals NHS Trust 84 0.32 
			 West Middlesex University NHS Trust 41 0.30 
			 Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS Trust 43 0.18 
			 Whittington Hospital NHS Trust 30 0.20

Health Services

David Borrow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in South Ribble are receiving drug treatment.

Melanie Johnson: In 2000–01, there were a total of 2,874 people receiving drug treatment in the area covered by the drug action team for Lancashire. This is the latest available data. Data broken down by drug action team for 2001–02 and 2002–03 has not yet been finalised and published.
	Source:
	DH Statistics.

Health Services

David Borrow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS (a) doctors and (b) nurses there were in South Ribble in each of the last seven years.

Melanie Johnson: The information requested has been placed in the Library.

Health Services

David Borrow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much public funding has been spent on (a) heart disease and (b) cancer care in South Ribble in each of the last five years.

Melanie Johnson: The information requested is   not collected centrally. Allocations of funding for particular treatments are matters for local primary care trusts.

Health Services

David Borrow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much public funding has been spent on health in South Ribble in each of the last five years.

Melanie Johnson: The information is not available in the format requested. Expenditure per weighted head in the Cumbria and Lancashire Strategic Health Authority (SHA) area, which includes the constituency of South Ribble, has increased from £600.03 in 1997–98 to £1,173.57 in 2002–03 (the latest year available). This does not represent the total expenditure per head, as an element of health expenditure cannot be identified by SHA area.

Health Services

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the levels of elective admission to Taunton and Somerset NHS Trust in the past three years.

Rosie Winterton: Data on the levels of elective admission to Taunton and Somerset National Health Service Trust in the past three years is shown in the table.
	
		In year elective admission episodes for Taunton and Somerset NHS Trust
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 2000–01 31,329 
			 2001–02 31,385 
			 2002–03 31,907 
		
	
	Notes:
	In-year admissions
	An in-year admission is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider, excluding admissions beginning before 1 April at the start of the data year. Periods of care ongoing at the end of the data year (unfinished admission episodes) are included. Please note that admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year.
	Ungrossed Data
	Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data (i.e. the data are ungrossed).
	Source:
	Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Department of Health.

Health Services

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS (a) therapists and (b) scientists were located in Taunton in each of the last three years.

Rosie Winterton: Requested information on the number of national health service therapists and scientists located in Taunton in each of the last three years is shown in the table.
	
		Headcount
		
			  1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 Taunton Deane PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 13 14 
			 Taunton and Somerset NHS Trust 418 421 432 454 384 377 410 
		
	
	n/a = not applicable.
	Source:
	Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce Census.

Health Services

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many rapid access chest pain clinics there are in Taunton.

Rosie Winterton: There is one rapid access chest pain clinic in Taunton, based at the Musgrove Park Hospital, part of the Taunton and Somerset national health service trust.

Health Services

Colin Pickthall: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much public funding has been spent on health in West Lancashire in each of the last seven years.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 10 May 2004
	The information is not available in the format requested. Expenditure per weighted head in the Cumbria and Lancashire Strategic Health Authority (SHA) area, which includes the constituency of West Lancashire, has increased from £600.03 in 1997–98 to £1,173.57 in 2002–03 (the latest year available). This does not represent the total expenditure per head as an element of health expenditure cannot be identified by SHA area.

Health Services

Neil Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS (a) doctors and (b) nurses there were in Wigan in each of the last seven years; and if he will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: The information requested has been placed in the Library.

Health Services

Neil Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS (a) therapists and (b) scientists were located in Wigan in each of the last seven years.

Melanie Johnson: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		NHS hospital and community health services: Qualified scientific, therapeutic and technical staff in each specified organisation as at 30September each specified year -- Headcount
		
			  1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			  488 506 516 528 619 587 624 
			 Ashton, Leigh and Wigan PCT — — — — — 311 335 
			 Wigan and Bolton HA — — — — 4 — — 
			 Wigan and Leigh Health Services NHS Trust 488 506 516 528 — — — 
			 Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Trust — — — — 615 276 289 
			 Wrightington Hospitals NHS Trust 40 44 45 47 — — —

Health Services

Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on the numbers of   NHS (a) doctors and (b) nurses in Workington constituency in each of the last seven years;
	(2)  what changes there have been to NHS waiting list   time in the last seven years for the residents of Workington constituency.

Melanie Johnson: The information requested has been placed in the Library.

Health Services

Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on NHS waiting times for heart surgery in Workington constituency.

Melanie Johnson: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		Coronary heart disease waiting time: West Cumbria Primary Care Trust
		
			 Year/quarter Patients waiting over nine months 
		
		
			 2002–03  
			 1 5 
			 2 12 
			 3 2 
			 4 0 
			   
			 2003–04  
			 1 0 
			 2 0 
			 3 0 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health form QF01.

Hospices

Mike Wood: To ask the Secretary of State for Health   how much of the £12 million announced on 26 December 2003 for palliative care will be available to hospices.

Melanie Johnson: The additional £12 million investment over three years announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 26 December 2003 follows on from the commitment in the recent Command Paper "Building on the Best".
	This additional money is not intended for hospices. It is to be used to ensure that, by widening the pool of generalist staff, in primary care, in care homes and in hospitals, who are trained in meeting the needs of people nearing the end of their lives, patients—regardless of their diagnosis—will have access to high quality palliative care so that they will be able to be cared for and to die in a place of their choice.

Human Fertilisation and Embryology

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many licensed fertility clinics have had their licences (a) suspended and (b) revoked by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority in each year since 1991.

Melanie Johnson: The number of licence suspensions and revocations for failure to comply with the provisions of either the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority's code of practice or the conditions of the establishment's licence, since 1997, are shown in the table.
	
		Licences suspended or revoked by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority since 19971
		
			 Year(40) Suspension Revocation 
		
		
			 1999 — 1 
			 2003 (41)1 — 
			 2004 1 — 
		
	
	(39) Figures do not include licences voluntarily given up by licensed establishments.
	(40) No licences were suspended or revoked in the years 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001 and 2002.
	(41) Suspension applied only to specified licensed activities, not the whole licence.
	Source:
	Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority.
	Information for 1991 to 1996 is held on microfilmed records, by licensed establishment, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Intermediate Care

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of National Service Framework local implementation teams have reported that an intermediate care co-ordinator is in place; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: This information is not collected centrally.

Milton Keynes and South Midlands Sub-regional Strategy

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on proposals for increased funding to growth areas in South-east England, as mentioned in paragraph 97 of the Cross-Government Statement (matters 1, 2, 3, 4) on the Milton   Keynes and South Midlands Sub-Regional Strategy.

John Hutton: The Department has given its backing to providing health service infrastructure to support the development of sustainable growth areas.
	As announced to Parliament, on 15 March 2004 the Department has agreed to provide an extra £20 million, per annum, of revenue funding in 2004–05 and 2005–06 to be allocated to primary care trusts (PCTs) and £20 million of capital resources in 2005–06 to be allocated to strategic health authorities.
	PCTs within the growth areas were notified of their additional 2004–05 and 2005–06 revenue allocations on 25 March 2004.
	The Department has also agreed to give priority to Office of the Deputy Prime Minister growth areas for future local improvement finance trust schemes and to include a growth area adjustment for ODPM growth areas in the next round of PCT allocations.

Morphine Sulphate

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the target date is for the availability of morphine sulphate by NHS prescription in each primary care trust area; in what areas it is already available; and when guidelines will be published on the prescription of morphine sulphate.

Rosie Winterton: Morphine sulphate is available on national health service prescription and was prescribed in all primary care trust areas in 2003.
	Guidance on the prescribing of morphine sulphate is given in the British National Formulary, a copy of which is supplied to all NHS doctors and pharmacists. Advice on the use of morphine sulphate in specific medical conditions has also been published in the Drug and Therapeutics Bulletins, the MeReC Bulletins and in PRODIGY guidance for primary care, which are widely distributed free of charge to NHS professional staff.

Mumps

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of teenagers in England who (a) are not inoculated against mumps and (b) have had only one of the two necessary doses.

Melanie Johnson: The Department does not have data on the number of teenagers who either received only one dose of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine or no doses. Most older children and adolescents will naturally be immune from mumps infection. Seroprevalance data, this is data where antibody levels are measures in blood samples, suggests that around 20 per cent., may be unprotected against mumps.

National Service Frameworks

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on progress towards the National Service Framework milestone for general practitioner practices diagnosing, treating and   caring for older people with depression and dementia;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on progress towards the National Service Framework milestone for protocols across health and social care systems for the care and   management of older people with mental health problems;
	(3)  if he will make a statement on progress towards the National Service Framework milestone for strategic and operational plans to include the development of an integrated mental health service for older people.

Stephen Ladyman: The Department is monitoring progress towards the development of protocol driven, joined-up mental health services for older people. This is a "must do" target in the 2003–06 priorities and planning framework.
	All of the milestones relating to standard 7 of the national service framework are the responsibility of strategic health authorities to plan for and monitor progress towards, but we would expect the type of service mentioned to be part of an integrated service.

National Service Frameworks

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress towards the National Service Framework milestone for integrated continence services across health and social care systems.

Stephen Ladyman: The responsibility for implementing this milestone and monitoring progress is the responsibility of strategic health authorities. Monitoring information on progress with this milestone is not collected centrally.

NHS Beds

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS beds were available in Birkenhead in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: Information on the average daily number of beds in acute wards in each national health service trust and England from 1996–97 to 2002–03 is available from the Department's website at www.performance.doh.gov.uk/hospitalactivity/index.htm.

NHS Beds

Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for   Health how many NHS beds were available in Preston in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: Information on beds is collected on a provider basis from national health service organisations and the latest data available is for the year 2002–03. Beds data for 2003–04 will be published later this year.
	Information about the relevant trusts has been placed in the Library.

NHS Information Technology

Archie Norman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the end-user groups being consulted in the National Programme for Information Technology in the NHS.

John Hutton: Consultation has taken place with clinical representative groups, including the professional Royal Colleges, the General Medical Council, the British Medical Council and the NHS Confederation, all of whom have provided valuable input. As well as the national professional bodies and groups, the national programme for information technology (NPfIT) team has engaged closely with expert primary care practitioners, including practising general practitioners, who are there to represent and feedback issues with their professional colleagues.
	The national clinical advisory board (NCAB) has ensured that the wide-ranging clinical needs and requirements are reflected in the design of the NPfIT solutions and integrated into the ongoing plans of the programme. Their work covered a variety of care settings, from cancer care to out of hours care. Since the appointment of Aidan Halligan, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, as joint senior responsible owner and director general for NPfIT, plans are in hand to improve and review the formal arrangements for engaging with key stakeholders across the national health service. This will include a frontline support academy and wider patient groups and an announcement will be made later in summer.
	The NPfIT has to date hosted around 400 local events, engaging managers, clinicians, allied health professionals and IT staff. Over 21,000 individuals have been involved. A series of national and regional joint events with the NHS Confederation began on 10 May, aimed at speaking directly to the chief executives and board members who need to lead local implementation.

NHS Information Technology

Archie Norman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the dates of (a) past and (b) planned future meetings of the clinical consultation group to the National Programme for Information Technology in the NHS are.

John Hutton: Previous meetings of the national clinical advisory board were held on:
	   2 October 2003.
	27 November 2003.
	15 January 2004.
	16 March 2004.
	13 May 2004.
	The Department issued a press notice on 30 April 2004 to outline the plans to continue and improve engagement with patient and national health service stakeholders in order to support the implementation of the national programme for information technology (NPfIT). This follows on from the appointment of Aidan Halligan, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, as joint senior responsible owner and director general for NpfIT, who now has responsibility for leading on the preparations and planning for implementation across the NHS.
	The first step has been to set up a new frontline support academy for clinicians. The formal arrangements for engaging with key groups are also being reviewed and an announcement will be made later in the summer.

NHS Information Technology

Archie Norman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the estimated cost is of training (a) clinical staff and (b) non-clinical staff to use the information systems developed by the National Programme for Information Technology in the NHS.

John Hutton: Training plans are still evolving as is to be expected when approaching a phased programme of implementation and roll out of new applications, systems and services. The training requirements are not solely related to the national programme for information technology in the national health service in England (NPfIT) as general IT skills are now an everyday element for any public service and service based organisation. The European computer driving licence is helping to improve general skills across the NHS. The move to e-learning and development and the NHS University will both create more demand for computer and online skills and provide more channels and solutions to bring training to people.
	As we complete the more detailed plans for each geographical cluster and local service provider contract, we can map out the extent of IT support for clinical practice and patient care over the phased implementation of NPfIT. This will generate clearer training requirements and will enable us to consider the most appropriate ways of providing training and development and produce firmer costs.

NHS Staff

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for   Health how many NHS whole-time equivalent (a) doctors and (b) nurses there were in East Worthing and Shoreham in each of the last seven years.

Rosie Winterton: The information is not available for the area requested. However, the number of whole time equivalent doctors and nurses within Surrey and Sussex Strategic Health Authority area, broken down by trust, has been placed in the Library.

NHS Staff

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS (a) doctors and (b) nurses there were in Wirral, South in each of the last seven years.

Melanie Johnson: The information requested has been placed in the Library.

Nurse Training

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health in which years since 1997 applications for nurse training places from suitably qualified applicants have exceeded the number of places available; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: The information requested is not available. Information on the number of applicants to   pre-registration nursing and midwifery training commissions and the number of training commissions available each year is shown in the tables.
	The national health service recruitment campaign was launched on 1 March to raise the profile of careers in the NHS and encourage new entrants into training and the   Government is increasing the number of training places for nurses and midwives. Between 1997–98 and 2002–03, the number of pre-registration nursing and midwifery training commissions has increased by 6,417, or 39 per cent., with a further increase forecast in 2003–04.
	
		Ratio of applicants to pre-registration nursing and midwifery training courses to nursing and midwifery training commissions in England each year -- Diploma(42)
		
			  1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 
		
		
			 Applicants 18,732 32,405 34,953 40,908 33,864 29,689 
			 Commissions 16,120 16,586 17,383 18,666 19,704 n/a 
		
	
	n/a = Not available.
	(42) Applicant and commissions data are not directly comparable as the NMAS applications cycle runs for longer than the commissioning cycle, 1997–98 applicants data is therefore compared with 1998–99 commissions data and a direct ratio is not applicable
	Source:
	Nursing and Midwifery Admissions Service Department of Health Quarterly Monitoring Reports Degree.
	
		Degree
		
			  1997–98 1998–89 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 
		
		
			 Applicants to commissions ratio n/a n/a n/a 2.0 2.0 2.0 
			 Applicants n/a n/a n/a 5,357 6,126 6,541 
			 Commissions 521 1,569 2,121 2,638 3,104 3,252 
		
	
	n/a = Not available.
	Source:
	University and Colleges Admission Service Department of Health Quarterly Monitoring Reports

Osteoporosis

Janet Dean: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of primary care trusts have a fully integrated falls and osteoporosis service as set out in the National Service Framework for Older People.

Stephen Ladyman: I refer my hon. Friend to the response I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Forest of Dean (Diana Organ), on 11 May 2004, Official Report, column 319W.

Parliamentary Questions

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to reply to the question from the hon. Member for Westbury, reference 159700, tabled on 5 March, concerning Government information on dentist training numbers.

Rosie Winterton: I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave him on 19 April 2004, Official Report, column 178W.

Patients Forums

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are being taken by the Commission for Public Patient Involvement to ensure that (a) residents and (b) patients can find the names of members of local patients' forums.

Rosie Winterton: Any member of the public can contact their local patients' forum through the forum support organisations (FSO); their details are on the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health website at www.cppih.org.
	Names of individual members are made available to the primary care trust and national health service trust that the patients' forum is working with, in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 requirements.
	Individual members' names are not currently widely available to the public for technical reasons linked to the Data Protection Act. The Commission is, however, working with all forums to enable wide availability of members' names.

Prescriptions

Michael Clapham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many pharmacy and general practitioner prescribing projects are operating; how many people they cover; and what assessment he has made of their (a) influence on the numbers of people seeking treatment and (b) impact on the level of crime.

Melanie Johnson: The Department does not centrally collect numbers of general practitioner prescribing projects.

Prescriptions

Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the numbers of patients who fail to get prescriptions dispensed because of the charges.

Rosie Winterton: The number of prescription items dispensed in the community is recorded centrally but no information is held centrally about the number of items prescribed. We have not, therefore, made any assessment of the number of items which might be prescribed but not dispensed. However, in 2002 only 14 per cent. of prescriptions dispensed in the community attracted a charge.

Prisoners

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what alternative therapeutic environments are available to treat women who are sent to prison who are mentally ill.

Stephen Ladyman: Specialist services for people with mental health problems who come into contact with the criminal justice system are provided by multidisciplinary teams working in in-patient settings and in the community. The Department supports a range of police and court diversion and liaison schemes that enable the early diversion of such people to specialist mental health services. The courts have a number of psychiatric disposals available to them, ranging from a hospital order requiring detention in a psychiatric hospital to probation order with a condition requiring an offender to have psychiatric treatment. In addition, women prisoners assessed as needing in-patient treatment for mental disorder may be transferred to hospital.

Prosthetics/Orthodontics

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action is being taken to train more people in (a) prosthetics and (b) orthodontics.

John Hutton: The number of training places in prosthetics and orthodontics has increased from 28 to 30 between 1996–97 and 2002–03 and the workforce review team annually reviews the need for increases in training for all the allied health professions.
	Information on the number of consultants and doctors in training in orthodontics is shown in the table. The Department has centrally funded two more training posts in orthodontics in 2004–05, bringing the total training posts in place to 31. The number of dentists electing to train in specialties like orthodontics is related to the number of undergraduates training as dentists relative to the demand for dental care. We have recently completed the first review of the dental workforce since 1987 and will shortly be announcing the results including the implications for the intake of undergraduates to dental schools in England.
	
		Hospital, Public Health Medicine and Community Health Services (HCHS): dental staff within the Orthodontics and Prosthodontics—England1 -- Orthodontics
		
			  1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 December 2003 
		
		
			 All staff 509 501 504 513 506 508 522 n/a 
			 Of which: 
			 Consultant 153 153 157 161 154 161 178 176 
			 Doctors in training 110 120 117 101 115 130 118 n/a 
		
	
	n/a = Not applicable.
	(43) Data at 30 September 1997 to 2003 and 31 December 2003.
	Note:
	December 2003 data has been taken from the mini census which collected consultants only.
	Source:
	Department of Health medical and dental workforce census.

Provigil (Modafinil)

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prescriptions of provigil (modafinil) have been made for children in each of the last five years.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 11 May 2004
	In each of the last five years, it is estimated that under 1,000 prescription items of modafinil were dispensed in the community to children.

Rheumatological/Musculoskeletal Conditions

Andy King: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice and guidance is provided as part of the expert patients programme to patients with musculoskeletal conditions.

Melanie Johnson: The expert patients programme (EPP) provides generic, lay-led, group based training for people in the self management of their long term condition. The programme is aimed at a wide range of people from different long term conditions and age groups, geographical location and ethnicity. The EPP is delivered locally by a network of trainers and volunteer tutors with long term conditions.
	The EPP is a generic course and teaches five core self-management skills: problem solving; decision making; resource utilisation; developing effective partnerships with healthcare providers and taking action. The programme offers a tool-kit of fundamental techniques that patients can undertake to improve the quality of their life living with a long-term condition.
	The course enables patients to develop their communication skills, manage their emotions, manage daily activities, interact with the healthcare system, find health resources, plan for the future, understand exercising and healthy eating, and manage fatigue, sleep, pain, anger and depression.
	No specific medical advice is given to people with musculoskeletal conditions, the course aims to develop confidence and self control and does not concentrate on the physiological symptoms of the disease.

Rheumatological/Musculoskeletal Conditions

Andy King: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many extended scope physiotherapists are working in the NHS; and what steps are being taken to increase this number.

John Hutton: Information is not collected separately on the number of extended scope physiotherapists employed in the national health service. As at September 2003, there were 17,922 physiotherapists employed in the NHS, an increase of 3,679 or 26 per cent., since 1997.
	The Government have implemented a range of measures to recruit more health care professionals, including physiotherapists. These include improving pay and conditions, encouraging the NHS to become a better, more flexible and diverse employer, increasing training, investing in child care and continuing professional development, attracting back returners and running national and international recruitment campaigns.

School Nurses

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to increase the number of school nurses.

John Hutton: Information is not available on the number of school nurses employed in the national health service. The Government collected information on the school nursing workforce in the September 2003 non-medical workforce census but this information was incomplete. Reliable information will be available from the September 2004 workforce census.
	School nurses are largely employed by primary care trusts (PCTs), and it is for PCTs and care trusts to continue to assess the level of need for school nurses in the context of wider initiatives which impact on the delivery of health services to school age children. These include a review of the nursing, midwifery and health visiting contribution to vulnerable children and young people by the Chief Nursing Officer, the development of the national service framework for children and the work arising from the green paper on children including the development of a workforce strategy covering a range of staff working with children and young people.

Sexually-transmitted Infections

John Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the percentage changes were, broken down by (a) age and (b) sex for rates of (i) conception and (ii) sexually transmitted infections in teenagers for each of the last five years in the North West London Health Authority.

John Hutton: Conception data, numbers, rates and percentage changes, for the years 1997–2001 (latest data available) for North West London Strategic Health Authority is as shown in the table.
	
		Conceptions (numbers, rates, percentage change)—North West London Strategic Health Authority, 1997 to 2001
		
			  Under 16 16 to 19 
			  Number Rate(44) Percentage change Number Rate(45) Percentage change 
		
		
			 1997 205 7.9 — 2,861 72.1 — 
			 1998 213 7.9 0.0 2,969 79.0 +9.5 
			 1999 222 8.0 +1.3 2,933 78.3 -0.9 
			 2000 237 8.4 +5.0 2,950 81.5 +4.1 
			 2001 238 8.4 0.0 2,854 75.1 -7.9 
		
	
	(44) Rate per 1,000 females aged 13 to 16.
	(45) Rate per 1,000 females aged 16 to 19.
	The following table shows the percentage change in   the rate of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) shown for the four principal infections (gonorrhoea, chlamydia, herpes—first attack—and genital warts—first attack) for the combined age group 13 to 19-years-old by sex in North West London Health Authority for the last six years of complete data (1998–2002).
	Too few and sporadic cases of syphilis among teenagers 13 to 19 years were reported from GUM clinics in the North West London Health Authority over the last five years, making calculation of rates unreliable; thus these data are not provided.
	Note that these diagnoses represent only persons attending genito urinary medicine (GUM) clinics in the   North West London Health Authority and not necessarily residents within that area. Data on diagnoses made outside the GUM setting, such as in general practice, are not held centrally and not, therefore, included in these totals.
	
		Diagnoses, rates (per 100,000 of population) and rates change of selected STIs in teenagers age 13 to 19 years attending GUM Clinics in North West London STHA
		
			  Males Females 
			  Diagnoses Rate Rate change (Percentage) Diagnoses Rate Rate change (Percentage) 
		
		
			 Uncomplicated genital chlamydia   
			 1997 66 88.9 — 296 423.9 — 
			 1998 72 96.9 9.0 342 492.7 16.2 
			 1999 98 133.7 38.0 387 580.3 17.8 
			 2000 225 303.0 126.6 709 1,088.2 87.5 
			 2001 257 363.1 19.8 675 1,014.1 -6.8 
			 2002 252 356.0 -1.9 630 946.5 -6.7 
			
			 Uncomplicated gonorrhoea
			 1997 105 141.5 — 105 150.4 — 
			 1998 80 107.7 -23.9 105 151.3 0.6 
			 1999 106 144.6 34.3 147 220.4 45.7 
			 2000 200 269.3 86.2 230 353.0 60.2 
			 2001 180 254.3 -5.6 235 353.0 0.0 
			 2002 189 267.0 5.0 233 350.0 -0.9 
			
			 Genital herpes   
			 1997 13 17.5 — 97 138.9 — 
			 1998 17 22.9 30.6 109 157.0 13.0 
			 1999 23 31.4 37.2 92 137.9 -12.2 
			 2000 32 43.1 37.3 105 161.2 16.8 
			 2001 28 39.6 -8.2 117 175.8 9.1 
			 2002 25 35.3 -10.7 83 124.7 -29.1 
			
			 Genital warts   
			 1997 56 75.5 — 217 310.8 — 
			 1998 77 103.6 37.3 213 306.9 -1.3 
			 1999 79 107.8 4.0 230 344.9 12.4 
			 2000 97 130.6 21.2 217 333.1 -3.4 
			 2001 88 124.3 -4.8 253 380.1 14.1 
			 2002 94 132.8 6.8 248 372.6 -2.0 
			
			 Total   
			 1997 240 323.4 — 715 1,023.9 — 
			 1998 247 332.4 2.8 769 1,107.9 8.2 
			 1999 306 417.5 25.6 857 1,285.0 16.0 
			 2000 555 747.3 79.0 1261 1,935.4 50.6 
			 2001 553 781.2 4.5 1280 1,923.0 -0.6 
			 2002 561 792.5 1.4 1194 1,793.8 -6.7 
		
	
	Source:
	Health Protection Agency.

Unified NHS Database

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to create a unified database of (a) health records and (b) users of NHS services; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: The national programme for information technology in the national health service in England has been established to connect delivery of the NHS Plan with the capabilities of modern information technologies to support the delivery of fast, convenient and seamless services designed around the patient.
	Fundamental to this is the NHS care records service (NHS CRS) that will enable patient care information and records to be accessed at the point of need anywhere in England.
	Over time, the NHS CRS will provide all 50 million NHS patients with an individual electronic care record to summarise key treatment and episodes of care within either the health service or social care. Access to any personally identifiable information about patients will be subject to stringent access controls, confidentiality and security safeguards and will be fully compliant with the requirements of the Data Protection Act.

Unused Medicines

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate for each year since 1997 (a) the amount of medicines dispensed and never used in (i) England, (ii) each NHS region, (iii) each strategic health authority and (b) the cost of these medicines to the NHS; and if he will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: This information is not collected centrally.

Waiting Lists

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average number of patients on (a) in-patient and (b) day case waiting lists was in each Greater London NHS Trust since 1997; and what the percentage change was in each year.

John Hutton: The information requested for the national health service trusts within the five London strategic health authorities has been placed in the Library.

Waiting Lists/Times

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what percentage of suspected cancer patients in Manchester, Gorton saw an NHS consultant within two weeks in each of the last seven years.

Melanie Johnson: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		Waiting times for first consultant out-patient appointment for suspected cancer following urgent GP referral
		
			  Seen within 2 weeks 
			  Quarter NHS Trust Percentage Number 
		
		
			 2000–01 4 Central Manchester Healthcare NHS Trust 90.4 75 
			 2000–01 4 Christie Hospital NHS Trust 95.0 19 
			 2001–02 1 Central Manchester and Manchester Children's University Hospitals NHS Trust 90.0 81 
			 2001–02 1 Christie Hospital NHS Trust 83.3 5 
			 2001–02 2 Central Manchester and Manchester Children's University Hospitals NHS Trust 85.0 68 
			 2001–02 2 Christie Hospital NHS Trust 100.0 8 
			 2001–02 3 Central Manchester and Manchester Children's University Hospitals NHS Trust 93.5 100 
			 2001–02 3 Christie Hospital NHS Trust 100.0 3 
			 2001–02 4 Central Manchester and Manchester Children's University Hospitals NHS Trust 87.9 80 
			 2001–02 4 Christie Hospital NHS Trust 100.0 3 
			 2002–03 1 Central Manchester and Manchester Children's University Hospitals NHS Trust 88.0 95 
			 2002–03 1 Christie Hospital NHS Trust 83.3 5 
			 2002–03 2 Central Manchester and Manchester Children's University Hospitals NHS Trust 98.4 125 
			 2002–03 2 Christie Hospital NHS Trust 100.0 2 
			 2002–03 3 Central Manchester and Manchester Children's University Hospitals NHS Trust 100.0 165 
			 2002–03 3 Christie Hospital NHS Trust 85.7 6 
			 2002–03 4 Central Manchester and Manchester Children's University Hospitals NHS Trust 100.0 135 
			 2002–03 4 Christie Hospital NHS Trust 80.0 4 
			 2003–04 1 Central Manchester and Manchester Children's University Hospitals NHS Trust 100.0 109 
			 2003–04 1 Christie Hospital NHS Trust 75.0 3 
			 2003–04 2 Central Manchester and Manchester Children's University Hospitals NHS Trust 99.2 128 
			 2003–04 2 Christie Hospital NHS Trust 100.0 5 
			 2003–04 3 Central Manchester and Manchester Children's University Hospitals NHS Trust 100.0 151 
			 2003–04 3 Christie Hospital NHS Trust 100.0 3 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health form QMCW.

Waiting Lists/Times

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on NHS waiting times for heart surgery in Manchester, Gorton.

Melanie Johnson: In February 2004, no one waited more than nine months for a heart operation at   Central Manchester and Manchester Children's Hospital National Health Service Trust. The total number of people waiting for a heart operation at Central Manchester and Manchester Children's Hospital NHS Trust was 257.

Waiting Lists/Times

John Cummings: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time was for non-urgent operations within the (a) Sunderland, (b) Easington, (c) Hartlepool and (d) Durham primary care trusts in the last year for which figures are available.

Melanie Johnson: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		
			  Primary care trust Finished admissions Time waited mean (days) 
		
		
			 5D9 Hartlepool PCT 9,185 96 
			 5J8 Durham Dales PCT 6,082 89 
			 5KC Durham and Chester-le-Street PCT 10,371 118 
			 5KD Easington PCT 8,717 105 
			 5KL Sunderland Teaching PCT 22,164 95 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. A finished admission episode is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one health care provider. Please note that admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year.
	2. Time waited statistics from Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) are not the same as the published waiting list statistics. HES provides counts and time waited for all patients admitted to hospital within a given period whereas the published waiting list statistics count those waiting for treatment on a specific date and how long they have been on the waiting list. Also, HES calculates the time waited as the difference between the admission and decision to admit dates. Unlike published waiting list statistics, this is not adjusted for self-deferrals or periods of medical/social suspension.
	3. Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data (i.e., the data is ungrossed).
	Source:
	Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Department of Health.

Waiting Lists/Times

John Cummings: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the waiting times are for hip replacements within the   (a) Sunderland, (b) Easington, (c) Hartlepool and (d) Durham primary care trusts.

Melanie Johnson: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		
			  PCT—Primary care trust code Finished admissions Time waited mean (days) 
		
		
			 5D9 Hartlepool PCT 153 145 
			 5J8 Durham Dales PCT 165 237 
			 5KC Durham and Chester-le-Street PCT 193 247 
			 5KD Easington PCT 149 233 
			 5KL Sunderland Teaching PCT 385 293 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. A finished admission episode is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. Please note that admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year.
	2. Time waited statistics from Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) are not the same as the published waiting list statistics. HES provides counts and time waited for all patients admitted to hospital within a given period whereas the published waiting list statistics count those waiting for treatment on a specific date and how long they have been on the waiting list. Also, HES calculates the time waited as the difference between the admission and decision to admit dates. Unlike published waiting list statistics, this is not adjusted for self-deferrals or periods of medical/social suspension.
	3. The main operation is the first recorded operation in the HES data set and is usually the most resource intensive procedure performed during the episode. It is appropriate to use main operation when looking at admission details, e.g. time waited, but the figures for "all operations count of episodes" give a more complete count of episodes with an operation.
	4. Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data (i.e. the data are ungrossed).
	Source:
	Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Department of Health.

Waiting Lists/Times

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the (a) shortest, (b) longest and (c) medium waiting times were for first diagnostic appointments to   consultant (i) neurologists, (ii) geriatricians and (iii)   physicians for people suspected of having Parkinson's disease in of the last five years for which figures are available;
	(2)  how many patients were in the latter stages of Parkinson's accessed hospice care in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

John Hutton: holding answer 11 May 2004
	The information requested is not collected centrally. However, the Department is driving forward a major programme of work to improve equality of access to all national health service treatment and care services. Maximum waiting times have fallen over the past few years and will continue to do so. By the end of 2005, the maximum waiting time for a first out-patient appointment with a consultant will fall to three months and the maximum wait for inpatient treatment will fall to six months.
	The Department is developing a national service framework for long term conditions, which will focus on   improving services for people with neurological conditions such as Parkinson's Disease. The Department has also commissioned the National Institute for Clinical Excellence to prepare guidelines for the diagnosis, management and treatment of Parkinson's disease in primary and secondary care. We expect that the guidelines will be published in spring 2006.

Wanless Report

John Maples: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what measures are being taken to ensure that the recommendations of the Derek Wanless Report are being implemented, with particular regard to the prevention of cardiac arrhythmias;
	(2)  how he will ensure that the (a) measures to improve patient information access and (b) the expert patients programme will be applicable to sufferers of cardiac arrhythmias.

Melanie Johnson: The Wanless Report does not make any specific recommendations with regard to the prevention of cardiac arrhythmias. On 12 March 2004, the Government announced that a new national service framework chapter on arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death would be published within one year.
	An expert group will be formed to take this work forward.